Lorraine Josephine (Cass) Morris was born at home in Trinidad, Colorado on December 30, 1937 to Clara (Concetta) DiCaro Cass and Devere Cass. She was born nine minutes before her twin brother Loren and proceeded to call herself the ”big sister” for the rest of her life. This became a true family joke over the years as Lorraine became a jockey and Loren (Bo) outgrew this profession by age 12.
Lorraine attended El Moro School then the family moved into town living on Boulevard where the children attended Holy Trinity School. The family moved again to the north side of town next to Floyd Keck and family and behind the Pavetti Meat Market across from the Las Animas County Fairgrounds. The children then attended Santa Fe School and then Centennial School.
Lorraine’ s family were always involved with farm livestock and she always had a horse. In addition to riding exercise for horses being trained at the Fairgrounds racetrack Loraine broke and rode horses for many ranchers in the area. She also out rode several cowboys in local rodeos in the area. She went on to break more barriers when she became the first female rider to be allowed on the track at La Mesa Park in Raton, New Mexico. She also rode as a jockey on the fair circuit tracks in southern Colorado and at the age of 57 was still riding exercise professionally on horses training at the track at the Fairgrounds. She met and married
She met and married William Zorn and they worked on the Exel Smith ranch in the Branson area. She had her only child, William (Bill) Zorn in 1959 while at the ranch. Upon leaving the ranch and splitting up with Mr. Zorn she worked in Trinidad in various restaurants either waiting tables, cooking, doing dishes and anything she needed to do to take care of her and her son.
At one point she met and married George Adkins at La Mesa Park. George was a professional rider so Lorraine and Bill toured the country from El Paso to Florida with him a she rode Thorough bred horses wherever he could. This marriage ended but Lorraine also lived in Aguilar and the San Luis Valley. They came home to Trinidad where she remained for the rest of her life.
Lorraine’s great loves were her family, her son Bill, her horses, pug dogs and the beautiful Watusi cross cattle she raised. Her faith in the Lord never failed and sustained her for many years. People who knew her well would say she lived her faith being an incredibly forgiving person.
Lorraine is preceded in death by her mother Clara, her father Devere, her older sister Catherine (Katie) and nine uncles and aunts. She is survived by her son Bill Zorn of Trinidad, her twin brother Loren (Bo) Cass of Trinidad, brother Robert Cass of Belleville, TX and sister in law Esther (Bo) Cass of Trinidad and many nieces and nephews. Her wish is to be cremated with no services. People wishing to remember her please send a donation to Noah’s Ark in her memory.
Heartfelt thanks from the family to the Staff at Trinidad Inn, Mt. Rose Hospice, Pastor Cary Nelson and Brother Harry Gonzales.
