Loretta Masters Kearns

IRVINE, Calif. - Loretta Masters Kearns passed away peacefully at her Irvine home on June 12, 2002, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's. We are thankful that her suffering has come to an end. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Dana; her son, Jim Kearns; and her two grandchildren, Dillon and Cailin.

She was born to John and Ida Masters on April 9, 1921, in Woodstock, Conn. She spent most of her childhood in Worchester, Mass. She and her brother John were trained to play music from an early age, along with her cousins Ethel, Olivia, Julia, Josephine and George Silberberg.

She was a very gifted musician, and went on to study music at Oberlin College. She graduated in 1943 and taught music for many years.

She moved to California with her mother and father in 1946. In 1948, she married Francis Bernard Kearns. They eventually moved to Montana to ranch and raise a family.

Loretta moved back to California in 1971 to care for her mother, after the death of her husband.

She loved her children and her mother intensely. She has been a generous supporter of music, education and the Catholic Church. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, June 19, at 10 a.m. at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Irvine.

If you would like to honor her, please feel free to contribute your time or money to any organization you deem worthy.