Lorraine S. Wagner

Lorraine Sweeney Wagner, 87, a beloved wife, mother and advocate for many, passed away on Monday, September 15, 2025 after a brief illness. Born September 28, 1937 to Denis Regis and Grace Frances Roche Sweeney. The youngest of 8 children, she loved and valued each sibling. She is preceded in death by: Kathreen Sweeney, Marguerite (Warren) Clohisy, Cecelia (CJ) Donoghue, Clayton (Sally) Sweeney, and Rev. Denis R. Sweeney. She is survived by Rosemary (James (dec.)) Flynn, and Mary Grace (Regis) Stafford and by many nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved.

Lorraine was a 1957 graduate of the Mercy School of Nursing. She worked as a Registered Nurse for many years at Mercy Hospital before working in medical management. She also worked at Kane Hospital and was instrumental in exposing the abuse of patients there. This led to the reforms of the Kane Hospital system in the late 1970’s.

Lorraine lived by three tenets: Family, Faith, and Fun.

She married the love of her life, J. Kenneth Wagner, Sr. (dec.) in 1962. They shared 47 years together, raising four children: Grace (Ed) Monk, J. Kenneth Wagner, Jr. (dec.), Peppy (Matt) Pollock, and Cece Wagner. Known as Gaga, she supported and inspired her 8 grandchildren: Marley (Phill) Giggey, Eddie (Angie) Monk, Maggie Monk, Kelsey (Kevin) Karsner, Lorrie, Jay, Kyle and Tim Pollock and doted on her 6 great-grandchildren: PJ, Gracie and Kenny Giggey, Iona Monk, Finley and Edward Karsner. Gaga was kind and loving. She was always aware when anyone needed encouragement and offered her loving support and wisdom.

As a fierce advocate for individuals with intellectual disabilities, Lorraine’s vision to open family style group homes to serve individuals in their own neighborhoods led her and Ken to found the Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh in 1989. This was an intersection of family and faith as she believed we can see the face of Jesus in everyone as we share our lives together. The Emmaus Community became an extended family for Lorraine and Ken, the individuals and families served and its many employees. Today Emmaus has seventeen homes and provides additional services in the community.

A woman of deep faith, Lorraine lived the Gospel every day, guided by her love for God. She was a devoted member of Resurrection Parish, attending daily Mass, serving as a eucharistic minister, a lector, a very active member of the Ladies of Charity, and volunteering whenever possible. Lorraine was a longtime friend of Sisters of Charity who supported the Emmaus Community and has been a member of the Seton Family since its inception.

If you could not find Lorraine at church, you may have been able to find her out to lunch with daughters, grandchildren, or friends or at a nearby casino with her sisters. She loved to win at cards, a good Old Fashioned, watch her Steelers, and was always ready for an adventure. She felt one of her greatest gifts was to travel to Rome, Italy as a Pilgrim of Hope during this Jubilee Year.

Lorraine’s legacy is one of faith that steadies, family that grounds, and fun that keeps laughter through the hard times. She touched countless lives through her love and service, and she will be deeply missed. Lorraine wished to thank all those who have supported her in life.

Family and friends welcome on Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 6-8 pm and Friday, September 19, 2025 from 2-4 & 6-8 pm at WILLIAM SLATER II FUNERAL SERVICE (412-563-2800) 1650 Greentree Rd., Scott Twp. 15220. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 10:00 am in Resurrection Parish, St. Thomas More Church, 126 Fort Couch Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15241. Burial to follow in Calvary Cemetery. 

The family requests that donations in lieu of flowers be made to The Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh, ensuring Lorraine’s mission of care and compassion continues.

Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh

2275 Swallow Hill Road, Building 2600

Pittsburgh, PA 15220

www.emmauspgh.org