Laura "Loretta" VanDyke

Laura "Loretta" VanDyke, 82, of Nichols, N.Y., passed away on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014 at home, surrounded by her beloved family following a brief illness.

She was born on July 25, 1932 at home in East Smithfield Twp., a daughter of the late James Arthur and Laura Anna Brown Hoose.

Loretta married Paul P. VanDyke in 1952 when he was home on leave from the service. They owned and operated a farm in Litchfield Twp., Pa., where she enjoyed being a homemaker and stay-at-home mom. They celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary prior to his passing in 2006. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who loved spending time with her family. Loretta enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing, puzzle books, jigsaw puzzles, and playing Yahtzee. She especially loved the old time country music and square dancing.

She is predeceased by her husband of 53 years Paul B. VanDyke on Jan. 12, 2006; son Ronald "Ron" P. VanDyke on December 28, 2008; son-in-law Richard Barber on Jan. 9, 2011; brothers Robert, Ted, Harold, Gilbert and Edwin Hoose; sisters Louise Stanton, Sunny Salter, Janet McDermott, and Wanita Hoose, mother and father-in-law Howard and Marjorie VanDyke; sisters-in-law Pauline Hall, Mary Tracy, and Madeline Tracy; and brother-in-law Tracy VanDyke.

Loretta is survived by her children Cindy Barber (Joe Pruyne) of Waverly, N.Y., Wayne (Nancy) VanDyke of Waverly, N.Y., Thomas (Tina) VanDyke of Ulster, Pa., Virginia VanDyke of Nichols, N.Y., and Harold Dean (Tara) VanDyke of Ulster, Pa.; 27 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Mary VanDyke of Athens, Pa.; sister Alice Munro of Canton, Pa.; brothers-in-law Larry (Debbie) VanDyke, Harry VanDyke, and Howard VanDyke; sisters-in-law Grace VanDkye, Judy VanDyke, and Florence Hoose; special friends Clifford and Susan Fegley and Marge and Wayne Scouten; several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and her cat companion Cuddles.

Friends and family may call on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Jay E. Lowery Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 225 S. Main St., Athens, Pa. A memorial service will follow at the funeral home at 8 p.m. with the Rev. Linda Rogers officiating.

Burial will be in Bumpville Cemetery, Litchfield, Pa., at the convenience of the family.

Memorial donations may be made in Loretta's memory to: Bradford County Humane Society, P.O. Box 179, Ulster, PA 18850.

(For those wishing to sign the E-guestbook or send condolences may do so by visiting www.loweryfuneralhome.com)