Eulogy

Lorena Jensine Hoel Gavaris

July 5, 1954 – May 8, 2023
Lorena Gavaris was born in Rockville Centre, Long Island, New York on July 5, 1954, joining
older sister, Martine in the household. She was the second of what would eventually be five
children of Faye and Einar. Lorena’s father, Einar, was born in Norway and her mother, Faye, was
born in Texas. Both of her parents were Navy veterans of World War II. In 1956 her brother Floyd
was born. They were very much alike, and they were as thick as thieves. Soon after that her
parents took in Ronald Swenson, a young boy in need of a family, and fostered him for a few
years. In 1961 another brother, Darwin, was born and finally in 1968 the final sibling and
Lorena’s younger sister, Laurel, joined the family.

Lorena grew up in Elmont, NY and attended Carlson Elementary School, Stanforth Junior High
School and Sewanhaka High School, where she graduated in June 1972 with a business
diploma.

Just like her mother, Lorena was a hairdresser, licensed in the State of New York. She could sew
like a professional. In High School she made a beautiful full-length, lined wool coat - the kind you
would expect to see in Macy’s window - which she wore for many years. She was mechanically
inclined too, and could take apart anything, clean it and put it back together.

In 1980 she married Dean Gavaris, her first and last boyfriend. Of course, she made her own
wedding dress. Soon after the wedding they moved to West Caldwell, New Jersey where she
worked to put Dean through Bible College.

During her early working years, she was employed as a bookkeeper for Doubleday Publishers,
American Airlines, Simon Borough Hall and The Progress News.

In 1987 Lorena and Dean adopted Jeremy. Lorena homeschooled him for many years until he
attended Timothy Christian School for junior and senior high school. Jeremy was raised in the
nurture and admonition of the Lord and had the most excellent role models in his parents.
Lorena was very close to her son. She was attentive. She attended his basketball games, his
band performances where Jeremy played the drums, and more recently saw Jeremy perform in
his first community play, 12 Angry Jurors. Jeremy always said he wanted to marry someone as
loving, loyal, respectful, supportive, nurturing, selfless and peaceful as his mother (his parents
being a model for an ideal marriage). This may be a tall order given just how perfect Lorena was.
Jeremy remains as the sole descendant to carry on the Gavaris family name.

Lorena was an avid student of the Bible and poured everything into preparing for each and every
Bible study. She had a determined pursuit of God and His word. She also attended Bible Study Commented [MOU1]: Maybe not stubborn?
Fellowship for over 10 years. She was always active in church teaching AWANA and Sunday Commented [MK2R1]: Changed to determined
School, volunteering in the nursery, working in girls’ club, VBS and ESL programs and much
more. She served for several years as Church Treasurer at the church’s request after witnessing
her talents for meticulous accounting and record keeping. She did her fair share of cooking for
church events too. Every other Sunday for eight years she worked in prison ministry, attending to
young people who were incarcerated.

She worked for Gateway Pregnancy Center in a voluntary capacity for its entire existence,
having full charge of the Gateway books. She made post office and bank runs, prepared
mailings, recorded receipts, maintained the mailing list, filed tax forms with the state and federal
governments, and represented Gateway at health fairs. She was effectively the accountant,
administrator, marketing coordinator and sales representative behind the scenes. She
participated in 28 Walks-for-Life and annual banquets, counseled the wife of a drug abuser for a
number of years, she mentored many young girls and women, provided childcare for clients and
volunteers alike, hosted baby showers, and became a “Grandma” and mentor to a newly
immigrated family. She helped Dean with collecting baby bottles, sorting coins, making diaper
runs, picking up donated baby equipment, clothes and other items and distributing Thanksgiving
Dinners to clients. Lorena was the silent servant, never seeking recognition, but serving due to a
sense of duty, compassion and obedience to the Lord.

Lorena took after her mother: she took care of everyone. As a teenager, she babysat for half the
children in the neighborhood. At the age of 22, when her mom was recovering from cancer
surgery, hepatitis and an infection, Lorena left her job to take care of her youngest sister, Laurel,
and ran the household for the next year. During her marriage she nursed Dean during and after
his many surgeries and his battle with cancer.

As she got older, Lorena continued to help anyone she could. She stayed with Martine for six
weeks after her first hip replacement, she looked after Jeremy after he tore his Achilles Heel,
and she moved her mom into her household for two years during Mom’s final illness and death.
Up until the day Lorena died, she assisted a woman in her neighborhood with daily living needs
and another woman in Sayreville, NJ with laundry and shopping. And of course, she took care of
Dean every day of their married life.

Whenever Lorena saw a need, she tried to fill it. She never stopped trying to help anyone whom
she thought needed it, whether they wanted it or not. People often had to remind her that she
helped too much and should take some time to herself. But she didn’t listen. It was not in her
nature to put herself before others. She cared for widows, orphans, prisoners, and the
downtrodden.

Over the years, Lorena enjoyed the friendship of many people. Besides her husband Dean and
their son Jeremy, Lorena is survived by her sister Martine Kruger (Thomas) of Lynbrook, New
York, her brother Floyd Hoel (Kris) of Universal City, Texas, her brother Darwin Hoel (Lauren) of
Universal City, Texas, her sister, Laurel Strahan of Stuart, Florida, numerous cousins, nieces and
nephews, brothers and sisters in Christ, friends, neighbors, co-workers and acquaintances.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Gateway Pregnancy Center, PO Box
1793, Union, NJ 07083.