Lorraine Ricketti Shive

March 2, 1928 — April 26, 2026

Lorraine Ricketti Shive, 98, passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Born in Trenton, NJ, she was a lifelong resident of Trenton and Yardville Heights.

A proud graduate of Cathedral Girl's High School, Lorraine cherished the lifelong friendships she formed there and rarely missed a class reunion. She began her career in the Payroll Department of the NJ State Employment Service, where she worked for 10 years, and later retired after 15 fulfilling years at the Dental Clinic of the Heavy and General Laborers' Local 172.

Faith was the cornerstone of Lorraine's life. A devoted member of St. Raphael Church, she attended daily Mass and weekly adoration. She was also an active participant in the Rosary Altar Society, the Elderberry Club, the H.E.L.P. Club, and the Hamilton Senior Center, where she formed many meaningful connections.

Lorraine was the daughter of the late Joseph and Rose (Perrotta) Ricketti. At just 44 years old, she was widowed by her beloved husband, Charles William "Bill" Shive. The heartbreaking loss of her precious granddaughter, Allison Schauer Stathius, left another hole in her heart. She was also predeceased by her sister and best friend, Mildred Cracker, her husband Nicholas; her dear sister, Marie Kisco, her husband Bob; sisters-in-law and their husbands, Doris and Bob Clayton, Betty and Jerry Carter, Joyce and Dick Seabridge.

She leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion. Lorraine is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law, Laureen and Alan Schauer of Hamilton, NJ, and Karen and Jack West of Allentown, NJ; her cherished grandsons, Kevin Schauer and his wife Jessica, and Joseph Stathius; her adored great-grandsons, Bryson and Wesley Schauer; sister-in-law and husband Audrey and Harry Yost; several nieces, nephews, and treasured friends, especially Judy, Michelle, Chris, Dot, Linda, and Sr. Kareena, who faithfully visited and stayed connected during her time at Care One.

A heartfelt thank you to the entire staff at CareOne Hamilton for their concern and dedicated care over the years and Serenity hospice for easing her final days.

Our mother was a thoughtful, caring, and impeccably organized woman. She was always elegantly dressed and carried herself with grace and dignity. In her ever-considerate nature, she wrote most of this obituary herself years ago, hoping to ease our burden when the time came for her to reunite with the many loved ones who went before her.

Though we are heartbroken, we find peace in knowing she is reunited with those she missed so dearly. Rest gently in the arms of the Lord, Mom. We have gained another angel to watch over us, and we will forever treasure the memories we shared through the years.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. at St. Raphael-Holy Angels Church, 3500 South Broad Street, Hamilton, NJ.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated immediately following at 10:30 a.m

Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, Lorraine requested that Masses be offered or donations be made in her memory to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 https://www.stjude.org.

 Arrangements are under the compassionate care of the Buklad-Merlino Memorial Homes, Hamilton, NJ.

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