Lorraine “Lorri” Painter lived in Kentfield, CA, and was Vice President of Claims at Norcal Mutual Insurance Company in San Francisco.  Born in 1943 in Hackensack, New Jersey, Lorri grew up in Berkeley Heights, NJ, earned a Bachelor degree in music from Denison University in 1965 and her Master’s from Indiana University in 1967.

Music was one of Lorri’s passions throughout her life. She played the clarinet in high school, studied music in college, enjoyed the San Francisco Symphony and supplemented her joy of music by a vast personal collection of recorded music.  

Prior to her move to San Francisco in 1973, Lorri was the Assistant Dean of Students at the University of Akron in Ohio.  She moved to Marin in 1973 and began her professional life in the Bay Area as a Claims Supervisor with American Mutual Insurance Company. 

Lorri joined Norcal in 1980 as a Claims’ Supervisor.  Her career at Norcal spanned 23 years, during which time she contributed enormously to the company’s success and achieved the position of Vice President of Claims.  She had the unique ability to motivate and inspire co-workers to be all that they could be, both professionally and personally. 

Lorri served as a member of the Claims Section Committee of the Physicians Insurance Association of America (PIAA) the national organization of physician-owned medical professional insurance companies and held several offices with that organization.

Lorri left many very loving friends and co-workers behind upon her death in May of 2003 after fighting a courageous battle with cancer.  Throughout this emotional time, her wit and humor sustained family and friends with the unique personality that Lorri offered to everyone. 

Many of us fondly remember wonderful gatherings hosted by Lorri and her life partner, Bonnie Ripple, in their beautiful home overlooking Mount Tamalpais.  Lorri and Bonnie loved golf and enjoyed many a round at Peacock Gap Golf and Country Club as well as at vacation homes at Sea Ranch and Palm Springs.  Lorri would have been so pleased that friends get together to play in her memory.

The Lorri Painter Peacock Open golf tournament was founded in 2003 to celebrate Lorri's life and give to breast cancer research and help support those living with the disease.  Those of us organizing the event are volunteers to help maintain the loving memories of Lorri and all she did to help others.