1955
2012
Loretta Marie Pendergast Stevens, 56, of Front Royal, VA, passed away on Monday, November 12, 2012, at Winchester Medical Center.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. at Calvary Episcopal Church conducted by Rev. Deborah Rutter. Burial will follow in Bennett's Chapel Cemetery.
Loretta was born November 26, 1955 in Massapequa, NY, daughter of the late Hamilton Thomas Pendergast and Evelyn Barbara Mega Pendergast of Culpeper, VA. She was supervisor of the special education instructional services for Warren County Public Schools. She was a member of Calvary Episcopal Church. She was married to the late Louis Charles Stevens.
Surviving with her mother are two daughters, Erin Cook and Megan O'Neill of Front Royal; her companion of five years, Michael Westfall of Front Royal; one brother, Thomas Pendergast and wife Penny of Massapequa, NY; one sister, Barbara Klagges and husband Frank of Culpeper, VA; two step-daughters, Dee Dee Haley and Cheryl Hertel, both of NY; and eight grandchildren, Hunter Cook, Bailee Cook, Graycie Stancil, Warren Stancil, Danielle Haley, Rebecca Hertel, James Haley, and Jonta Baltimore.
Pallbearers will be David Lilly, Jeff Duncan, Bert Stancil, Jonathan Klagges, Jonta Baltimore, Mark Kapp, and Hal Steiner.
Honorary pallbearers will be Rebecca Duncan, Mike Westfall and the faculty of the Warren County School System.
The family will receive friends on Friday, November 16, from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. at Maddox Funeral Home in Front Royal.
Sign the Guest Book at www.nvdaily.com/obituaries
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Mike Westfall, Love you always..
A dynamic leader. Her legacy lives in the children of Warren County.
Judith Fontana
Work
November 14, 2022
I worked with Loretta on the Region IV Special Ed Directors group. I am so saddened by your loss. On behalf of the Region IV special education directors we send our deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers.
Jane Quenneville
November 24, 2012
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Sherry Henry
November 20, 2012
To Loretta's family,
Loretta was not only my colleague, she was my friend. I always admired her for her positive attitude and her unwavering devotion to doing what was right for all people, especially the special education students and teachers. We talked so often of our children and grandchildren and shared similar stories. She loved each of you unconditionally. I will miss her and her infectious laugh. May God be with you in the days and months ahead.
Nancy Thompson
November 19, 2012
I knew Loretta through her studies at JMU, where I teach. Please know that I am holding her family and friends in my prayers. Loretta was a very special person and many will feel the hole in their hearts with her loss. God be with you.
Brenda Fogus Showalter
November 19, 2012
You will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. We knew you to be an on the go gal :) You were a bright star. May God be with your family at this time.
Sincerely
Kym & Melissa HJB
November 19, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this very hard time. You now have a angel watching over all of you!!!
Charlene, Ashley, David & Amy Thomas
November 19, 2012
Thoughts and prayers for family. She not only worked hard for her students, she helped so many adults and treated them with respect. Loretta made everyone feel important no matter what position . Always had time for all. You will be greatly missed. Rest in peace Loretta.
Faye Smoot
November 18, 2012
Loretta, you will always be remembered as the vibrant, beautiful young woman you are in my memory. There should be more people like you in this world.
Hilja Hõlpus Martinez
November 17, 2012
Loretta's family, you are in our prayers. We are so sorry for your loss. She will be missed. God Bless!
The Sheppards
November 17, 2012
In loving memory of a wonderful person! Loretta Stevens. We will miss you. I hope that we can setup a
scholarship in memory of Loretta, for her service in special education in Warren County for a senior that goes into special education.
You will Always be in our thoughts.
The Ortiz Family
Joe, Marialyce Ortiz
November 17, 2012
A stepmother and grandmother that will be surely missed. My deepest sympathy's to all were touched by her.
Dee Stevens
November 17, 2012
I had the opportunity to work with Loretta through Professional Development of teachers. As a JMU professor, I can say that she truly embodied the spirit of a JMU alumni-"Altogether One" and "Be the Change". She was truly a one-of-a-kind lady, with a special sense of humor and commitment to service. and she will be greatly missed.
Allison Kretlow
November 16, 2012
To Loretta's family and friends, my deepest sympathy. I am from Massapequa and reconnected with Loretta on Facebook. She shared her adventures with us all and her recent vacation in FL with Mike sounded so relaxing and fun that I felt as if I was there. To learn of her sudden passing upon her return is so shocking. May she rest in peace.
Marjorie Polk
November 16, 2012
Loretta is missed every day, not only by her family, but by her co-workers as well. She touched so many people's lives every day.
Lisa Rudacille
November 16, 2012
My deepest sympathy goes out to the family and the Warren County Public Schools in the loss of your dear Loretta. Loretta was so very special to us in the Special Education Department at the Virginia Department of Education. I personally worked with her on many occasions to help improved programs and outcomes for special education students in Warren County and Superintendents' Region 4. Loretta was an energetic, conscientious and knowledgeable gem. It was my pleasure to have known and worked with her. I will miss Loretta's constructive input, and most of all, that big smile with the warm personality. May God comfort and bless you at this very precious time.
Dr. Tyrone Bailey
Virginia Department of Education
Federal Program Monitoring
Dr. Tyrone Bailey
November 16, 2012
My deepest condolences to all Loretta's family & friends. I am saddened by the passing of each of our classmates; oh so young and full of life. She will be missed and remembered. MHS class of 1973 has another Angel.
Susan Roman Darby
November 16, 2012
Loretta was an unwavering advocate for our children when they couldn't stand up for themselves. She was always there when, as a parent, I didn't know where to turn to help my children. She will be greatly missed by everyone she touched and our children have another angel in heaven watching over them.
Lynn, Matthew and Christian Downs
November 16, 2012
Loretta was such a pleasant person! She had such a wonderful outlook on life-from children to horses! She will be greatly missed...
Linda Taylor
November 16, 2012
My prayers go out to Loretta's loved ones during this very sad time. I enjoyed working with her at WCPS. Even though it has been a few years since then, I can still remember her beautiful smile/laugh, talking about her beloved family, and her love of horses.
God Bless,
Tara Jones
Tara Jones
November 16, 2012
Please know that you are very much in my thoughts and prayers. Loretta will be missed in many ways. May you feel God's love surround you and hold you up during this difficult time.
Joan Kulp
November 16, 2012
Loretta was a great person and a great advisor. She will be greatly missed by all the worked with her.
Jessica Mather
November 15, 2012
Loretta will be missed by so many of us in Warren County Public Schools. She was a real fighter for children and what they needed. I loved working with her in many aspects of my career. She was a great listener and had an ambundance of information. May she be an angel to continue to watch over the children of Warren County.
My thoughts and love are with you.
Amy Plauger
November 15, 2012
Erin & Megan, so sorry to hear of your Mom's sudden death. Loretta was a great friend of ours and our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Holly & Jack Pitsenbarger
November 15, 2012
As with everyone else, I am extremely shocked and saddened by this news. I am keeping your family in my prayers.
Allison Frazier
November 15, 2012
My prayers to family, friends,and co-workers.
Sharon Duncan
November 15, 2012
Thank you for the impact you have made on the children of Warren County. You will indeed be missed by all those you have worked with and touched. God bless your family and all your animals.
Virginia Mckinnon
November 15, 2012
Please accept my condolences. Loretta was one of the kindest, warmest, and happiest people I've ever known. I knew her as a colleague in special education and each time I saw her, she had a huge smile and positive attitude that was infectious. She will be greatly missed in the Northern Virginia special education community.
November 15, 2012
With all the sadness the Pendergast family has endured it is unimaginable that you would also lose Loretta. We are so sorry for her daughters and grandchildren and Mike, and I can't even say what we are feeling for Barbara and Frank and Evelyn and all the family. Just so glad you have each other. Love, jeanne and Barry
Jeanne La Rose-Pinto
November 15, 2012
Warren County has lost so much with Loretta's passing. She was always helpful and willing to find an answer to your questions. I will miss her. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Tina Crosen
November 15, 2012
Megan, Graycie, Erin, Hunter & Bailee,
You are all in my thoughts and prayers! I can still hear her say "Hi Candice. It's Loretta. Can I talk to Megan?" Her smile and laughter touched me every time I saw her. She will be deeply missed. - Candice
Candice Crim
November 15, 2012
I am so sorry to hear about Loretta. She was a very sweet lady and will greatly missed. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers at this diffcult time.
Norma Settle
November 15, 2012
mikey pritchett
November 15, 2012
Ms. Stevens you will be dearly missed by everyone who knew you! You were a wonderful woman and a great teacher!
Allison Foster
November 15, 2012
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Amanda Snipes
November 15, 2012
To the Stevens family,
My heart goes out to each of you. Loretta was a kind and loving person who truly cared about the children. She touched so many and I will always be grateful to her for helping my son. May God comfort you all in this difficult time.
Suzy and Woody Billhimer
Susan Billhimer
November 15, 2012
Loretta has such passion for life! She was always upbeat; I really did like Loretta. She was a true, dedicated child advocate; not only will she be missed by me and many others, the children will miss her willingness to persevere for them. I send prayers to her friends and family! God Bless all!!!
Pam Foster
November 15, 2012
Prayers for her family and close friends.
Mike and Margie Sims
November 15, 2012
Loretta,
You were the light of my life, and an angel for over 5 years. I'm sure there is a horse farm in heaven for you. I'm so fortunate to have your love and memories. So nurturing to all animals and people. Finally, you can rest.
Mike Westfall
Winchester, VA
November 15, 2012
It was a pleasure working with Loretta. She had such a passion for educating students, especially those with special needs. Her smile and helpful advice was just what I needed on the stressful days. Thoughts and prayers to her family and friends. WCPS will not be the same without her
Pam Waters
November 15, 2012
Loretta, You will be missed. You had such a strong personality, had so much knowledge in your field, and such a great smile.
My heart goes out to your family. You left so suddenly, which makes it all the harder. May you live on in everyone's memories of you, and in their hearts.
Katherine Freeman
November 14, 2012
I am so sorry for your loss.
I admired Loretta for her passion for children with special needs, her energy and her love of life.
I will miss working with her.I will miss her spirit and sense of humor.
She loved her family so much. May God comfort you in these hard times.
November 14, 2012
We will miss you Loretta. Rest in peace dear friend.
Dana, Frank, and Ashley Horan
November 14, 2012
Erin, Megan, and Mike ~
I used to work with Loretta at the School Board Office and she was truly a loving, gracious and thoughtful individual. She cared about everyone she came in contact with. I feel very honored to have known her. She will be missed by all. Thoughts and prayers to all of you.
Becky and Leroy Lillard
November 14, 2012
Will always remember you
Diane Driver-Donahue
November 14, 2012
In loving memory of a wonderful person! We will miss you, your smile and laughter Loretta...You will Always be in our thoughts.
Lysa, Bob, Melissa & Paige
Lysa Rothenberg
November 14, 2012
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