– Lorine Parks, writer who elevated Downey culture
– Lorine Parks, Downey culture writer.
Lorine Anderson Parks, Champion of Cultural Arts in Downey, Passes Away at 92
DOWNEY – Lorine Anderson Parks, a beloved poet, writer, and passionate advocate for the cultural arts in Downey, passed away on Monday at the age of 92.
A Life of Passion and Creativity
Lorine Anderson Parks was born on February 17, 1931, in Pittsburgh to Hugh Craig Anderson Jr. and Alice Lorine Roat, hailing from Philadelphia. Throughout her life, Lorine’s love for the arts and her dedication to fighting social injustice shaped her remarkable journey.
After her early years in Pittsburgh, Lorine resided in Syracuse, NY, Waban MA, and Mt. Lebanon PA. It was during her time in Mt. Lebanon that she first encountered the realities of social injustice, learning about the Homestead strike. Additionally, it was here that she developed an enduring passion for the French language under the guidance of Miss Zahneiser.
Later, Lorine’s family moved to Larchmont, NY. She went on to graduate Phi Beta Kappa from Wellesley College in 1953, where her love for rowing flourished as she became part of the championship crew. She then pursued an MA in English Literature at Columbia University, cherishing her lifelong friendship with roommate Maria Petschek Smith.
Lorine married Floyd Roswell Parks Jr. (Buddy) of Los Angeles, who graduated from Dartmouth in 1951. While Buddy completed medical school at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Lorine taught at the Baltimore Friends School. During Buddy’s internship in New York, Lorine worked at Pan Am.
Following their first trip to Europe in 1957, the couple spent a year living on an Indian reservation in Northern Nevada. They later settled in west Los Angeles, where Buddy completed his surgical residency at UCLA. Their next chapter led them to Bay City, MI, where Lorine taught English Literature at Saginaw Valley College for six years.
In 1969, Lorine, Buddy, and their children, Jeff and Carrie, made their home in Downey. They also built a cabin in Mammoth in 1970, enjoying skiing during the winter and hiking and backpacking during the summer. They even conquered challenging peaks like Mt. Whitney and Half Dome in Yosemite.
Lorine’s love for travel led her to establish and operate Stonewood Travel in Downey for 33 years. She explored the world, from Tibet to South Africa, the headwaters of the Amazon, and all 50 states. Lorine was an avid scuba diver, venturing both north and south of the Equator. However, among all her adventures, France and Paris held a special place in her heart, with Lorine making 20 visits to her beloved destination.
A Champion of the Arts and Community
In 1988, Lorine joined the Rotary Club of Downey, becoming one of the pioneering women members. She maintained perfect attendance throughout her membership. Lorine’s talent as a poet led to her invitation to curate a poetry column and serve as the Social and Cultural Editor for the Downey Patriot. She embraced her new career and continued to write actively.
A Legacy of Love
Lorine is survived by her son Jeffrey and daughter Carrie Wylie (David), as well as her granddaughter Lawren and grandson Davey (Melissa). She was also blessed with great-granddaughters Everly and Hayden. In 1981, the family embarked on a memorable journey, climbing Mt. Whitney and Half Dome in Yosemite when Lorine was 40, Jeff was 12, and Carrie was 10.
In honor of Lorine’s memory, friends and loved ones may consider making a donation to the Downey Symphonic Society or engaging in activities that she held dear, such as reading a poem, learning something new, or connecting with nature.
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– Lorine Parks, writer who elevated Downey culture, dies at 92
– Downey Patriot remembers Lorine Parks, writer who elevated Downey culture.
