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(Cover photo) U.S. Navy veteran Lorraine Egan holds a photograph of her self from when she was in the Navy during World War II, on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, at her home in Crystal Lake. (Gregory Shaver)Over the course of the last 3 years, Lorraine Egan's birthday wish was to celebrate with a motorcycle parade!
She made her wish and my friend, Tony Parker, also a veteran, made her wish come true for the last 3 years of her life. ❤️
I was blessed to be a part of it last year, her 3rd and final, where she made the front page of the Northwest Herald.
Just a few weeks before her 102nd bday, Lorraine survived stroke.
She sat in a wheelchair on the porch of her Crystal Lake home and watched her community celebrate her as they had done the two previous birthdays. Her daughter Kathy Meyer said “it was a good day.” She was celebrated with a motorcycle parade, a beautiful bouquet of flowers as a gift from the bikers that was generously donated by Countryside Flowers, and was surrounded by family and friends.
After her big birthday bash on Sept. 29, Egan slowly declined, had less energy and her body began to “hurt everywhere,” her daughter said. Still, she wanted to be sure she had her lipstick on, her nails manicured and hair combed should anyone stop by for a visit, Meyer said.
But at 1 p.m. on Saturday she passed away quietly with her daughter by her side, holding her hand. Her life ended in the place and in the way she wanted it to, “in her castle,” Meyer said adding that she did not suffer.
“I had my mom for so long,” Meyer said. “She was the best.”
As her birthday is approaching, Lorraine's daughter, Kathy, extended family, and neighbors have asked us to help them continue to celebrate Lorraine with another motorcycle parade for her birthday this year.
PLEASE JOIN US 9/28 at Veteran's Achers Park in Crystal Lake, IL at 5:30 pm to join the parade. KU @ 6 pm sharp!
Please keep in mind that this is a very short ride. It is not about the route, it is about the cause.
We planned the day and time in hopes that everyone will join us after thier day of riding and before going home.
FREE EVENT 💜
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Veteran Acres Park, 431 N. Walkup Rd,Crystal Lake, Illinois, United States
