After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Lorraine Berleen-Dodge went to be with the Lord on March 12, 2007. Lorraine was born Dec. 23, 1951 to Eva Krusche Tille and Joseph McManus at Fort Bragg, N.C. As an Army dependent, she traveled extensively, including living in Germany before her father’s Army retirement in 1960, when they moved to Tacoma.

As a youth, Lorraine was always involved in sports. Her team won the powder puff football championship during her eighth grade, through her senior year.

Lorraine graduated from Foster High School near Seattle in 1970, and went on to attend Highline Community College. While attending Highline she worked for Cole’s Plant Soil in Seattle, met and married Dennis Caines, and had a son, Joseph Caines. After the marriage ended, Lorraine continued to work for Cole’s Plant Soil, and also worked at Valley General Hospital in Kent. Later, she worked for Owens Corning.

In 1978, Lorraine and son Joe moved to Oak Harbor to live with her brother Mick. She began to work for Safeway in 1978, where she worked for 28-and-a-half years.

Lorraine married Russ Berleen in October of 1982 and together they had a daughter, Jessica Berleen. They divorced in 1989.

Lorraine loved going to the casino where she played bingo and blackjack. There she met Dale Dodge who she later married in December of 2002. Dale preceded her in death in November of 2004.

Lorraine continued to work for Safeway and became the first fund-raising chairperson. She worked tirelessly organizing bake sales, garage sales, book sales, and many other events helping Oak Harbor Safeway to be one of the highest fund-raisers in the Seattle division.

Lorraine touched many lives, both of co-workers, and the infinite number of customers she came into contact with her “hi sweetie”, or “hi hon,” as they passed through her line. She knew so many by their first names, their children’s names, and even many of her customers’ phone numbers! She made many lifelong friends, which became apparent when her retirement party had to be held at Parker Hall at the Oak Harbor High School to accommodate the many people who wanted to attend.

Lorraine was preceded in death by one brother, Thomas McManus, and both parents, Eva and Joseph McManus. She is survived by her son, Joe Caines and two granddaughters, Lea and Ashley Caines of Olympia, and her daughter Jessica Berleen of Oak Harbor. Also surviving her are sister, Rose Marie Treadway of San Diego, and brothers, Mick McManus of Lynwood, Brian McManus of Maple Valley, Jeff and wife Debbie McManus of Auburn, Terry and wife Niki of Kent, numerous nieces and nephews, Thomas, Morgan, Coleen, Ryan, Keeley and Kylee McManus, Catherine (McManus) Turner, and husband Ryan, and Michael and Jeremy Treadway.

A time for visitation of Lorraine will be held on Friday, March 16, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel. A memorial service for her will be held at the First United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 17, at 11 a.m.

Remembrances may be made to Whidbey Home Health Care and Hospice. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.