Lorena Mary (O’Rourke) Balconi, age 83, of Gladwin, Michigan went to be with the Lord on May 21, 2023. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family after a long battle with cancer.
She was born in the family home in Gaylord, Michigan on June 6, 1939 to Joseph and Mabel (Salsbury) O’Rourke. After graduating from Gaylord St. Mary Cathedral School, she attended Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Unusually for the time, she majored in mathematics, with minors in history and Spanish. She was united in marriage to David Balconi on February 27, 1965.
Lorena spent many years as a teacher, a majority of which was at Beaverton High School in Beaverton, Michigan. She traveled the country, including visiting all the Presidential Libraries and Museums for her Master Degree in History. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, playing cards with neighbors and friends, and boat rides around Wiggins Lake, where her family made their home for over 50 years.
Lorena is survived by her husband of 58 years, David; son, Bruce (Donna) Balconi of Waterford, MI; son, Keith Balconi of Waterford, MI; daughter, Jean Balconi of Clay Township, MI; eight grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, J. Edward (Mae) O’Rourke of Vanderbilt, MI; sister-in-law Juanita O’Rourke of Gaylord, MI; sister-in-law, Delphine Hultgren of Okemos, MI; sister-in-law, Sue Hosang of San Antonio, TX; brother-in-law, Dan (Marilyn) Balconi of Marshfield, MA; and several nieces, nephews; great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.
Lorena was preceded in death by her parents; an infant sister, Alice Marie O’Rourke; sister, Alice Maxcine Butler; brother, Virgil O’Rourke; brother, Alfred O’Rourke; brother-in-law, Vernie “Gene” Butler; brother-in-law, Jim Summers; brother-in-law, Jim Balconi; brother-in-law, Russell Balconi; brother-in-law, Gary Hultgren; and brother-in-law, Kenneth Hosang.
Funeral Services will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Gladwin on Friday, May 26, 2023, 11:00 A.M. Visitation will be held at 10:00 A.M. until the time of service. Family will greet guests at the church.
Arrangements are in the care of Hall-Kokotovich Funeral Home. www.hallkokotovichfuneralhome.com
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