Obituary for Lorene Harling (Young)
Lorene Harling, a resident of Malden, MA, was transitioned to her eternal reward on Saturday, May 15, 2021, at the age of 69. Lorene entered this world on April 6, 1952. “Nina” and “Wannie” as she was affectionately called by her children and family, respectively, was the 2nd of seven daughters to her late parents Stewart Burrell and Ida Mae Johnson of Beaufort, SC. In her younger years, she accepted Jesus Christ and joined the Mount Sinai Baptist Church in Beaufort, SC, and was also a member of a singing group called the “Friendly Five.”
Her early education was in Beaufort County Public Schools where she graduated from Robert Smalls High School as Valedictorian in 1970. She received a four-year scholarship to Shaw University, the first historically black university (HBCU) in the Southern United States, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in History, graduated Magna Cum Laude and pledged Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. Lorene married the late Audie Harling, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. To this union two daughters, Kashawna and Cynthia were born.
The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Lorene. She enjoyed baking, family time, and her sister’s birthday calls. She was a self-sacrificing mother and grandmother dedicated to family and a person of goodwill to many friends.
Lorene was a Senior Analyst at Blue Cross Blue Shield in Boston, MA, and retired after 30 years. She was proud of being the Classroom Aide at the St. Theresa of the Child Jesus School and a devoted parishioner of the St. John the Evangelist Church in Cambridge, MA. She was on the Parish Council and well known for running the annual holiday fair.
Lorene is survived by and leaves to cherish fond memories, two daughters Kashawna Harling of Malden, MA; Cynthia Ojeda (Edwin) of Malden, MA; two grandsons Latrell and Vidal Jr. Garner. Mother-in-law of Vidal Garner, Sr. of Mattapan, MA; six sisters Theresa Washington (Luther) of Dorchester, MA; Drucilla Ellis (Barry) of Apollo Beach, FL; Annie Wright (Keith Gonzalves) of Beaufort, SC; Hazel Sawyer of Beaufort, SC; Joyce Perryman (Randall) of Powder Springs, GA; Mona C. Johnson-Phillips (St. Clair) of Alexandria, VA; her dear friend Arlene Sano of Cambridge, MA.; sisters-in-law Lucille Bryant, the late Frankie Green, Daisey Burbage, Mary Brown, Polly Morton, Reena Miller, Patty Gray, the late Janie Harling, the late Jessie Harling, and a brother-in-law James Harling all of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
Lorene’s funeral mass will be celebrated in St. John Church 2254 Massachusetts Ave., N. CAMBRIDGE, Saturday, May 22nd at 11 AM. Visiting hours will be held in the church from 10 – 11 AM. Interment will be private.
It has been requested that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions are to be made to St. John’s Church, 2254 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140.
To leave a message of condolence, please visit www.keefefuneralhome.com.
Her early education was in Beaufort County Public Schools where she graduated from Robert Smalls High School as Valedictorian in 1970. She received a four-year scholarship to Shaw University, the first historically black university (HBCU) in the Southern United States, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in History, graduated Magna Cum Laude and pledged Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. Lorene married the late Audie Harling, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. To this union two daughters, Kashawna and Cynthia were born.
The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Lorene. She enjoyed baking, family time, and her sister’s birthday calls. She was a self-sacrificing mother and grandmother dedicated to family and a person of goodwill to many friends.
Lorene was a Senior Analyst at Blue Cross Blue Shield in Boston, MA, and retired after 30 years. She was proud of being the Classroom Aide at the St. Theresa of the Child Jesus School and a devoted parishioner of the St. John the Evangelist Church in Cambridge, MA. She was on the Parish Council and well known for running the annual holiday fair.
Lorene is survived by and leaves to cherish fond memories, two daughters Kashawna Harling of Malden, MA; Cynthia Ojeda (Edwin) of Malden, MA; two grandsons Latrell and Vidal Jr. Garner. Mother-in-law of Vidal Garner, Sr. of Mattapan, MA; six sisters Theresa Washington (Luther) of Dorchester, MA; Drucilla Ellis (Barry) of Apollo Beach, FL; Annie Wright (Keith Gonzalves) of Beaufort, SC; Hazel Sawyer of Beaufort, SC; Joyce Perryman (Randall) of Powder Springs, GA; Mona C. Johnson-Phillips (St. Clair) of Alexandria, VA; her dear friend Arlene Sano of Cambridge, MA.; sisters-in-law Lucille Bryant, the late Frankie Green, Daisey Burbage, Mary Brown, Polly Morton, Reena Miller, Patty Gray, the late Janie Harling, the late Jessie Harling, and a brother-in-law James Harling all of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
Lorene’s funeral mass will be celebrated in St. John Church 2254 Massachusetts Ave., N. CAMBRIDGE, Saturday, May 22nd at 11 AM. Visiting hours will be held in the church from 10 – 11 AM. Interment will be private.
It has been requested that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions are to be made to St. John’s Church, 2254 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140.
To leave a message of condolence, please visit www.keefefuneralhome.com.