NORTH HORNELL-Loretta T. Haefele, 87, of Seneca Road, passed away early Monday morning (Feb. 16, 2015) at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri on June 27, 1927, she was a daughter of the late Melchior and Elizabeth Eckirch Haefele. Besides her parents, she was also predeceased by her sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Ferry.
A graduate of St. Louis University, Loretta received her nursing degree there and later received a master’s degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. She proudly served her country with the U.S. Air Force from 1957 to her honorable discharge in 1962.
For two years she taught special education for the East Cleveland City School District and in 1971 she came to Hornell and became the director of the School of Nursing at St. James Mercy Hospital until about 1995.
Loretta resided in the village of North Hornell before becoming a resident of Lake Demmon for several years; she returned to her home in North Hornell about six years ago.
A member of the Bath Area Republican Club, she was also a member of several other professional clubs and organizations. Loretta loved flowers and enjoyed gardening as well as reading and she was also interested in the stock market.
Her loving family includes her sister, Mathilda Slenker of Hornell; her lifelong friend and house mate, Janis Conklin of North Hornell, also her nieces and nephews, Leo Slenker, Paul Slenker, Kathleen Owens, Louise Stewart, Donald Ferry, Anne Dwyer, Elizabeth Tenney, Rachel Morrison and Timothy Ferry.
The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell is honored to serve the family of Loretta T. Haefele.
Her family will greet friends from 1-2 p.m. Saturday at St. Ann’s Church in Hornell, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Saturday, followed by military honors. Interment will be in Bath National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in her memory to either the Hornell Public Library, 64 Genesee St., Hornell or to the Salvation Army, 95 Seneca St., P.O. Box 398, Hornell, N.Y. 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the church.
Online condolences or remembrances of Loretta are welcomed at www.bishopandjohnsonfuneralhome.com.
