Lorraine Cervenka was born on December 19, 1927 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and grew up in the Troy Hill area. She had an early interest in music, specifically the violin. Her first violin was a gift from her father, Frank, at the age of 8. Lessons began with her older cousin, Arthur, a talented violinist in his own right. A few years later she began professional private lessons which continued through high school. She played in the orchestra throughout her schooling, and sat first chair when she attended Allegheny High School. Over the years, she also taught herself to play the piano. In June of 1949, Lorraine married her high school sweetheart, Ken Lippert. They lived in Troy Hill a few years before moving to the North Hills in 1954. With a marriage, job and three children to come, Lorraine’s orchestral career was put on hold, however her passion for music continued. It was at their church, Mellwood Presbyterian that later evolved to North Park Evangelical Presbyterian Church, where Lorraine taught herself to play the organ and became the church organist for fifty years. She also established and directed a handbell choir. Occasionally she would be asked to play the violin at a wedding or Sunday service. In 1975, Lorraine’s love of orchestra and violin were reunited when she became a charter member of the North Pittsburgh Civic Symphony, now known as the Pittsburgh Philharmonic. Lorraine remained with the orchestra for over thirty years serving as Concert Mistress for sixteen years within that time. In July of 2000, Lorraine was privileged to participate in the first Community Side-by- Side Concert, a pilot program sponsored by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. She was thrilled to practice with and perform in concert at Heinz Hall beside Christopher Wu, a Pittsburgh Symphony violinist who was also a member of her church. After many wonderful years of musical fulfillment, Lorraine retired from the Pittsburgh Philharmonic in 2010 and the violin fell silent. Lorraine passed away November 4, 2019 at the age of 91.
