Cynthia Joy Lorraine

Cynthia Joy Lorraine (Hausmann), age 97, passed away on December 22, 2025 at the Charlestown Senior Living Community in Catonsville, Maryland.

Born July 7, 1928 in Baltimore, Maryland, Cynthia was the only child of Adolay and Joy Lawrence Hausmann. Her father taught classical languages at the Gilman School, where the family resided, and her mother was a French teacher and a published poet. Cynthia graduated from Friends School in Baltimore and received degrees in languages from Wellesley College and Brown University. She also studied at the Universities of Bonn and Munich in Germany. Using her formidable linguistic skills (she spoke 13 languages), Cynthia had a distinguished 30-year career in the foreign service as a research analyst, retiring in 1980.

In 1981, Cynthia married "the love of her life", Paul Lorraine. Together, they pursued their passion for music, art and travel. During their 40 years of marriage, they led active lives at their homes in Baltimore, Maryland, and Highland Beach, Florida. When in Baltimore, they were enthusiastic supporters of the Peabody Institute where Cynthia had studied the piano at the Peabody Preparatory School. Paul died of COVID related complications in February of 2021.

After her retirement, Cynthia became an author, translating and publishing letters and other materials handed down to her through her family. Under her maiden name of Cynthia Joy Hausmann, she authored three books based on letters written by her great-grandfather (Napoleonic War), father (WWI) and uncle (WWII). Until her death, she continued her reading and research on a number of different subjects and enjoyed "storytelling" with her friends.

Cynthia is survived by her loving step-daughter, Dana, and a widespread network of family and friends.