Lorraine "Lorry" (Albanese) Rotundo Atchinson

Rotterdam - Lorraine (Lorry) Rotundo Atchinson (Albanese), 78, formerly of Rotterdam NY, passed away quickly and peacefully on Friday, December 30, 2022. She was in full time nursing care and also attended to by her two daughters, Diane Selin and Dayna Rotundo. Lorraine was affectionately know to all as “Lorry” or as she would say, “It’s Larry with an ‘o’.” Lorry was born at Bellevue Maternity Home in Niskayuna, NY on May 25, 1944, and lived the majority of her life in her first residence at 358 Melrose Street, Rotterdam, NY. She was the second daughter of Carmela Catalano Albanese and John J. Albanese. She was very close to her beloved sister, Benida (Binny) M. Zullo and late brother-in-law Emil (Sonny) Zullo. Since Lorry’s father passed away when she was just 9 years old, Sonny was a father figure to Lorry, a special bond that they both enjoyed. Binny and Lorry lived just around the corner from each other and basically raised their children together. The families vacationed together at the family camp in Blue Mountain Lake, NY, and holidays rotated between the two homes. For Christmas dinner Lorry made the lasagna and Binny made the Italian Wedding soup, with both of them providing a variety of other delicious foods in a tradition that lasted over 40 years. Every gathering, whether a holiday or not, was always accompanied by many, many laughs! Daily interactions and phone calls were frequent and welcomed. Lorry was educated in the Draper school system where she began her lifelong friendship with “The Girls,” most of whom she met during her kindergarten year. The group consisted of eight Girls: Shirley Perillo Fusco, Donna Dagostino Baum, Joanne Tommasone Vendetti, Susan Barkley Neary, Phyllis Zmyewski Kaiser, Roseanne Parillo Monteparo, Margie Dagostino Melideo and Lorry. After high school, they continued their friendship with monthly get-togethers to play cards, laugh boisteriously and enjoy in turn each of The Girls’ signature desserts. This tradition still continues and although card playing isn’t part of the gathering, the laughs and signature desserts remain. At Draper High School, Lorry’s favorite school subject was social studies/history, and she always enjoyed learning about historical places and events. She was also a cheerleader for the Draper Vikings. Her megaphone with her name on it is proudly displayed in her granddaughter Erica’s home. One of her other dear and lifelong friends was Charlotte Lamp Gauthier, her next door neighbor for many years beginning at age three. They maintained their friendship throughout all the years and loved to reminisce about the good old days on Granville Ave. Lorry married the late Dominick S. Rotundo and together they had three children within 4 1/2 years. Lorry embraced motherhood at a young age and took impeccable care of her children while maintaining a well-organized and spotless home. She cooked, cleaned and was a master of budgeting money. Despite a meager income, her family never wanted. Christmas morning was always met with an abundance of gifts from Santa. She was one of the founding members of the Rotterdam Girls Softball League and for several years was the manager of her daughters’ team. As her children neared middle school age, she took her first job as a sandwich maker at The Office Restaurant, just a few hours a day so she would be home when they returned from school. Eventually she was promoted to waitress and later worked at Perrino’s Restaurant and the Turf Tavern. After a divorce from Dominick, Lorry decided to change her career path and attended Bryant and Stratton College to obtain a secretarial certificate. She graduated top of the class and The Girls threw her a graduation party. She found employment at Orlev Foods, Siena College and then Golub Corporation where she was also promoted from within. She eventually retired from Golub Corp. in 2007. During her working years she volunteered at Proctor’s Theater and was an usher for five years. Lorry was remarried in November 1986 to Robert (Bob) Atchinson. They were together for more than 30 years. Shortly after her retirement, she sold her beloved Rotterdam home and bought a mobile home in Dade City, Florida where she and Bob made a winter life for several years. She joined the Red Hat Society and participated in many outings with them. She also became a very proficient shuffleboard player, even placing in a tournament or two. She loved the warm weather and being outside. Summers they would return to her cabin at Blue Mountain Lake where she enjoyed spending time on the beach and occasional hikes with her daughters and grandchildren. She enjoyed attending lectures, music events and many other activities at the Adirondack Museum, The Arts Center and other locations in the area. She loved her Hornbeck canoe and would take it out on Blue and other lakes in the area. After the passing of her second husband, she met Bob Lynch, a most wonderful and gentle man who became her constant companion. Bob also had a home in Dade City, Florida and a summer place in Wellsville, NY. The two enjoyed going to the Moose Lodge and received many compliments on their dancing. They were the Fred and Ginger of the Lodge. Summer months were spent between Blue Mt. and Wellsville. They truly enjoyed one another’s company and even took a driving trip across the country together. Lorry is the mother of David J. Rotundo, Diane (Eric) Selin and Dayna Rotundo. She also loved and greatly appreciated her sons-in-law, Eric Selin and Tony Papa. Eric was always there for her helping with a variety of needs, requests and wants. Her grandchildren include Joshua Rotundo of Ballston Lake, NY, Erica (Jarom) Bowman of Spring Hill, TN, Kevin (Amy) Selin of Schenectady, NY, Colin (Amber) Selin of Rexburg, ID, Stephanie (Zachary) Mitchell of Franklin, NH, Anthony and Nicholas Papa and Marlo Mazzarelli, all of Burnt Hills, NY. She was also blessed with great grandchildren Brandon and Bentley Rotundo; Fae and Silas Bowman; Kira, Quinten and Kaia Selin; and Leo and Micah Selin. She was the beloved “Aunt Lor” to John (Toni) Zullo and Jodi Hayes. She was very close with her cousin by marriage, the late Clara “Dolly” Raffele. She is survived by many other cousins from both sides of the family. A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 13, 2023 at 1:00pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 52 Blue Barns Road, Rexford, NY with light refreshments to follow. Lorry’s wishes were to be cremated and interred in the Blue Mountain Lake Cemetery which will take place at a later date.