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, Mo. 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.

Loretta was a member of the Bath Area Republican Club, and 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.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Hornell Evening Tribune on Feb. 19, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Loretta Haefele

Sponsored by Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home - Hornell.

3 Entries

Sam & Marge DeMay

February 21, 2015

We were neighbors of Loretta on Lake Demmon for many years and we are sorry for her loss.

Gerard & Marge Smith

February 20, 2015

It has been a pleasure to know Lore for the past 40 years, since she came to Hornell. We loved her enthusiasm for knowledge, for making new friendships and willingness to help anyone she met along the way. We will truly miss her infectious smile and warm heart. May she rest in peace.

Larry Swackhamer

February 20, 2015

I met Lore at St James Mercy Rehabilitation several years ago. I was there rehabing my hip and I believe she was rehabing her wrists. Happened that we both live on Seneca Rd, North Hornell. During our visits became friends; was looking for a treadmill and she offered to give me one that she no longer used in her basement. She invited me to stop by and take a look at it. We had a nice visit, met her friend that was living with her. Returned later with help and loaded the treadmill. Over this time period I would stop to see how she was doing. One day while driving by this month saw her getting into a car so I turned around to just to visit for a few minutes. Her Daughter from out of town was taking her to the hospital to see her friend who had fallen. Before they left discovered she was a Buffalo Bills fan as was I. We made plan to get together next season and watch a game.
So surprised and saddened when heard about her passing. God bless.

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