Obituary of Lorene Near

Lorene Near, age 80 of Lewiston went to be with her Heavenly Father on Thursday August 9, 2012 in Our Lady of Peace Nursing Residence in Lewiston, after a lengthy illness. Lorene was born December 24, 1931 in Hurley, VA, the daughter of the late John and Marjorie Lester and has resided in Lewiston the past 30 years. She was employed as a Packer by Nabisco Shredded Wheat in Niagara Falls, NY for 20 years. Lorene then returned to Trott Vocational School and received her LPN degree, of which she was very proud, and worked as a private duty nurse. Lorene was a member of New Zion Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Niagara Falls. She loved to travel and play golf. A compassionate woman, Lorene loved to help others and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. She was predeceased by her first husband, Daniel Greg in 1977. Lorene is survived by her loving husband, Laurence H. Near, whom she married on March 3, 1979; a son, Daniel Greg of Niagara Falls, NY; a step son, Marc (Joanne) Near of Fayetteville, NC; her grandchildren, Marjorie Greg, Michael and Bobby Ashcroft; a sister, Kathleen "Kay" Fitzgerald of Niagara Falls, NY; a brother, Billy Lester of Largo, FL; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by four brothers, Claude, Edward, John, and James Lester and three sisters, Bonnie Cutler, Jean Hillman, and Mary Randock. , Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Sts., Lewiston on Friday from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 PM. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, August 11, at 10:00 AM in the New Zion Evangelical Presbyterian Church,10th St. and Michigan Ave., Niagara Falls, with the Rev. John Timmerman officiating. (Please Assemble at Church). Burial will follow in Acacia Park Cemetery, Town of Pendleton. Memorials may be made to the New Zion Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 1010 Michigan Ave., Niagara Falls, NY 14305.