Lorraine Perry

Lorraine Perry, businesswoman, arts advocate and hostess extraordinaire entered eternal life on Wednesday morning, December 5, 2024. 

A native of New York City, Lorraine became a driving force on the Charleston scene in the early-1980’s. A successful entrepreneur and tireless supporter of many cultural and educational institutions in Charleston. Lorraine was the former owner of East Bay Cleaners, a licensed property manager and member of the National Association of Residential Property Managers. She could be seen biking around Charleston from property-to-property or rowing in her rowing shell on the Ashley River every morning at dawn. Lorraine was loving, giving and displayed boundless energy, whether hosting the Charleston Symphony (CSO) brass for impromptu after-concert cocktails, welcoming friends for back-yard barbeques, or opening the gates to her enchanted garden and pool every summer for her legendary “Mermaid Meeting.” Passionate about the organizations she supported, Lorraine was known for recruiting new members and quickly enlisting them for event committees and galas. She was ever-present for a friend in need.

 Lorraine had a wide breadth of interests. She was a fearless and dedicated racing sailor in Charleston Harbor and an early pioneer leading biking tours when China first opened its borders. A committed docent at the Gibbes Museum of Art, her tours were renowned for their insightfulness. A long-time Charleston Symphony Orchestra League, Inc. (CSOL) member, Lorraine was known for securing sponsors for the organization and for hosting events such as “A Grand Celebration,” a gala to celebrate the donation of the Charleston Symphony Steinway. Over the years, Lorraine housed countless Symphony guest musicians and connected many host families to the CSO. In addition, Lorraine was a tremendous resource for Symphony Designer Showhouses and downtown tour events, because of her extensive knowledge of downtown real estate. She will be sorely missed.

 Lorraine was active in community organizations as varied as the Historic Charleston Rotary, Charleston Preservation Society, Historic Charleston Foundation, Low Country Open Land Trust, Historic Ansonborough Neighborhood Association (HANA), Charleston Yacht Club, Charleston Horticultural Society, Birds of Prey Avian Center, Spoleto USA, Charleston County Public Schools, Charleston Race Week, South Carolina Maritime Foundation, College of Charleston Town and Gown Committee, Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston Symphony and Charleston Symphony Orchestra League.

 She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Charles Ford Reese, Jr. of Charleston; sister, Dee Meyer (Dolores) of Long Island, NY; and brother Richard Perez of Sedona, Arizona; nieces: Deirdre Meyer of Manhattan, NY, Adrienne Marie Abarvanel of Long Island, NY and Danielle Perez of Detroit; nephew, Gregory John Meyer of New York; grandnieces: Samantha Paige Abravanel of Long Island, NY and Fiona Briseno-Meyer of Los Angeles, CA; grandnephew, Ryan Steven Abravanel of Charleston, SC. Additionally, Lorraine is survived by her stepchildren: Charles Ford Reese III (Linda Taimina) of Daniel Island, Stephanie Reese (Jared Yuasa) of Oakland, CA and Alix Kokkoris (Nicholas) of Wilmington, DE; and step-grandchildren: Elias Yuasa, Eloise Kokkoris and Gwyndolen Yuasa.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Lorraine’s name to:  Birds of Prey Avian Conservation Center, PO Box 1247, Charleston, SC 29402; the Charleston Symphony, Attn: Advancement Department, 480 East Bay Street, Suite F, Charleston, SC 29403; Charleston Community Sailing, 21811, Charleston, SC 29413 or the Gibbes Museum of Art, Attn: Department of Development, 135 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401.