Lorine Anderson Parks
February 17, 1931 — February 12, 2024
Lorine Anderson Parks, 92, was born on February 17, 1931, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to Hugh Craig and Alice Anderson. Lorine entered into her eternal rest on February 12, 2024, in Downey, California.
Lorine's journey spanned multiple places, including Syracuse, New York, Waban, Massachusetts, and Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania. It was in the 8th grade, under the guidance of Miss Kallenbaugh, that she delved into the complexities of social injustice, and in the 10th grade, her love for the French language blossomed with of Miss Zahneiser. The family later relocated to Larchmont, New York, where Lorine earned her Phi Beta Kappa distinction from Wellesley College in 1953, marking her time there with four years of championship crew rowing.
Following her undergraduate years, she pursued a Master's in English Literature at Columbia University and cherished a lifelong friendship with roommate Maria Petschek Smith. Lorine's path took a significant turn when she married Floyd Roswell Parks Jr. (Buddy), a Dartmouth graduate from Los Angeles. They resided in Baltimore while Buddy completed medical school at Johns Hopkins, and during this period, Lorine taught at the Baltimore Friends School. Subsequently, they lived in various places, including a year on an Indian reservation in Northern Nevada, and six years in Bay City, MI, where Lorine taught English literature at the newly established Saginaw Valley College, focusing on the Romantic poets in her first class.
In 1969, Lorine, her husband Bud, and their children, Jeff and Carrie, made their way back to the Los Angeles area, settling in Downey. The following year, in 1970, they constructed a cabin in Mammoth, where they spent the winter months with frequent skiing adventures and spent summers immersed in hiking and backpacking escapades. Scaling iconic landmarks such as Mt. Whitney and Half Dome, their explorations extended throughout the enchanting landscapes of Yosemite.
Lorine's enduring passion for the arts led her to secure a position on the Downey Symphonic Society Board in the 1970s. Her unwavering commitment played a pivotal role in sustaining and enhancing the local arts scene, ensuring the presence of a high-caliber symphony in Downey, a legacy that endures to this day. During this period, Lorine initiated Poetry Matters and orchestrated Open "Mike" Gatherings for six years in and around Downey, providing a platform for poets to share their creative expressions. Her efforts enriched the cultural fabric of the community, leaving a lasting impact on the vibrant artistic atmosphere that thrives in Downey.
Her career evolved as she established and operated Stonewood Travel in Downey, CA, for an impressive 33 years. Lorine's passion for travel took her to destinations ranging from Tibet to South Africa, from the headwaters of the Amazon to all 50 states. With scuba diving adventures both north and south of the Equator, she always found solace in returning to her beloved France and Paris, having visited 20 times.
In 1988, Lorine broke ground as one of the first female members of the Rotary Club of Downey, maintaining perfect attendance up to the present day. A lifelong poet, she transitioned into a new career, curating a Poetry column and later serving as Social and Cultural Editor for the Downey Patriot, finding joy in staying active through writing.
Lorine's legacy lives on through her son, Jeffrey, and daughter, Carrie Wylie (David), along with grandchildren, Lawren and Davey (Melissa), and great-granddaughters, Everly and Hayden. The family shares cherished memories, including a remarkable climb of Mt. Whitney and Half Dome in Yosemite in 1981 when Lorine was 40, Jeffrey 12, and Carrie 10. Lorine leaves behind a legacy, she will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved her.
For those wishing to honor Lorine's memory, donations to the Downey Symphonic Society are suggested to be made HERE . Her parting message encourages others to read a poem, learn something new, find a piece of nature to love, and be an integral part of the world. Lorine's spirit remains a source of inspiration, missed dearly but remembered with love.
Lorine is predeceased by her parents, Craig and Alice Anderson, sister, Marilyn (Tooner) Gray (John), niece, Linda DuPlaine Gray, and former husband, Floyd Roswell Parks.
Condolences for the family may be sent through our website.
Lorine's journey spanned multiple places, including Syracuse, New York, Waban, Massachusetts, and Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania. It was in the 8th grade, under the guidance of Miss Kallenbaugh, that she delved into the complexities of social injustice, and in the 10th grade, her love for the French language blossomed with of Miss Zahneiser. The family later relocated to Larchmont, New York, where Lorine earned her Phi Beta Kappa distinction from Wellesley College in 1953, marking her time there with four years of championship crew rowing.
Following her undergraduate years, she pursued a Master's in English Literature at Columbia University and cherished a lifelong friendship with roommate Maria Petschek Smith. Lorine's path took a significant turn when she married Floyd Roswell Parks Jr. (Buddy), a Dartmouth graduate from Los Angeles. They resided in Baltimore while Buddy completed medical school at Johns Hopkins, and during this period, Lorine taught at the Baltimore Friends School. Subsequently, they lived in various places, including a year on an Indian reservation in Northern Nevada, and six years in Bay City, MI, where Lorine taught English literature at the newly established Saginaw Valley College, focusing on the Romantic poets in her first class.
In 1969, Lorine, her husband Bud, and their children, Jeff and Carrie, made their way back to the Los Angeles area, settling in Downey. The following year, in 1970, they constructed a cabin in Mammoth, where they spent the winter months with frequent skiing adventures and spent summers immersed in hiking and backpacking escapades. Scaling iconic landmarks such as Mt. Whitney and Half Dome, their explorations extended throughout the enchanting landscapes of Yosemite.
Lorine's enduring passion for the arts led her to secure a position on the Downey Symphonic Society Board in the 1970s. Her unwavering commitment played a pivotal role in sustaining and enhancing the local arts scene, ensuring the presence of a high-caliber symphony in Downey, a legacy that endures to this day. During this period, Lorine initiated Poetry Matters and orchestrated Open "Mike" Gatherings for six years in and around Downey, providing a platform for poets to share their creative expressions. Her efforts enriched the cultural fabric of the community, leaving a lasting impact on the vibrant artistic atmosphere that thrives in Downey.
Her career evolved as she established and operated Stonewood Travel in Downey, CA, for an impressive 33 years. Lorine's passion for travel took her to destinations ranging from Tibet to South Africa, from the headwaters of the Amazon to all 50 states. With scuba diving adventures both north and south of the Equator, she always found solace in returning to her beloved France and Paris, having visited 20 times.
In 1988, Lorine broke ground as one of the first female members of the Rotary Club of Downey, maintaining perfect attendance up to the present day. A lifelong poet, she transitioned into a new career, curating a Poetry column and later serving as Social and Cultural Editor for the Downey Patriot, finding joy in staying active through writing.
Lorine's legacy lives on through her son, Jeffrey, and daughter, Carrie Wylie (David), along with grandchildren, Lawren and Davey (Melissa), and great-granddaughters, Everly and Hayden. The family shares cherished memories, including a remarkable climb of Mt. Whitney and Half Dome in Yosemite in 1981 when Lorine was 40, Jeffrey 12, and Carrie 10. Lorine leaves behind a legacy, she will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved her.
For those wishing to honor Lorine's memory, donations to the Downey Symphonic Society are suggested to be made HERE . Her parting message encourages others to read a poem, learn something new, find a piece of nature to love, and be an integral part of the world. Lorine's spirit remains a source of inspiration, missed dearly but remembered with love.
Lorine is predeceased by her parents, Craig and Alice Anderson, sister, Marilyn (Tooner) Gray (John), niece, Linda DuPlaine Gray, and former husband, Floyd Roswell Parks.
Condolences for the family may be sent through our website.
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