Age 78

Beloved wife of Ronald J. Dear mother of Ronald J., Karen Grech, Mark and Janet (Don) Fraser. Grandmother of Ronald J. (Andrea), Kevin (Samantha), Julie (Tim), Matthew, Andrew and Emily. Great grandmother of Austin, Alayna, Aiden and Skylah. Sister of Richard Otto, Eileen Hoelzer and Paul Otto.

Loretta was known for being a caring individual. She was always concerned for the well-being of others, including a fondness for buying Christmas presents and making sure that everyone in her company had a full plate of food and a drink on the side. She invested in her grandchildrens' education by purchasing savings bonds, using her tips from Leright's Coffee Shop, where she worked as a waitress for over 20 years. On many occasions, Loretta would hide her purse, and claim that she couldn't find it. She would offer her children (and eventually grandchildren) a quarter to whoever found it first, and would watch fondly as the kids competitively scattered, looking under every pillow and newspaper.

Concerned about her family's safety, Loretta was known to always warn the driver she was with, "There's a car behind you!" as they started to move in reverse. When anyone left her house, she would always ask to give her two rings on the phone once they got home. If she knew her children and their families were coming home from other events, she make a special trip to drive by their homes late at night to make sure all vehicles were accounted for and everyone was home safe.

Loretta loved to have long conversations with her family and friends. With her fingers intertwined and thumbs twiddling, she would sit on the couch, leaning forward with her elbows on her knees and ask, "So, what's new?" She became overjoyed at the news of an engagement or pregnancy and would frequently exclaim, "Good deal!" throughout the conversation. When she wasn't twiddling her thumbs, she loved to talk while playing Thirty One or Pinochle. She would also enjoy an occasional trip to see a psychic, as well as playing slots with nickels at the casino.

In the end, Loretta will be missed every day. Her family and friends will forever honor her with a burnt hot dog at every barbecue, just the way she liked it. They will always remember how she would make funny faces just to get a laugh, or would use her bright pink hair tape as regular tape all around the house. Every time a romantic comedy, western, or war movie is on television, they will remember how much Loretta loved to watch them, although she could never stay awake through an entire viewing. But most of all, her family and friends will remember every card they received that had a hand drawn smiley face accompanied by long string of X's and O's, which was just as much her signature as her name.

Please join us in celebrating Loretta's life after her service at DeLuca's restaurant in Westland. She was a selfless, caring woman who always wanted to make sure everyone got enough to eat.
Time for a break.


Visitation Wednesday 2-8pm with the Funeral Service Thursday 11:30am at the John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home, 1139 N. Inkster Rd., Garden City (Between Ford Rd. & Cherry Hill).