Loree Ann Sward Sterling

Visalia - Loree Ann Sward Sterling of Visalia, Ca passed away on February 15, 2026, after a courageous battle with colon cancer. Born to Marian and Martin Sward on February 18, 1949, in Lodi, where she grew up with her sister and best friend, Julie. She graduated from Fresno State University with her bachelor's degree in Communicative Disorders and later earned her master's in education from Fresno Pacific.

Loree was a teacher of the deaf and then a resource specialist at Exeter Elementary where she loved teaching and retired after 37 years. In 1977 she gave birth to her beloved twins, Geoff and Cara, and in 1981 she married the love of her life, Mike. Her life was full of traveling, spending time with her grandchildren, cooking delicious meals, going on adventures with her friends, and practicing watercolor.

She is survived by her husband Mike, her sister Julie (Ted) of Carmel Valley, her son Geoff (Gena) of Carlsbad, her daughter Cara (Mike) of Lander Wyoming, her grandchildren Cole, Brin, Ryan, Lucas, and Elliana and her mother-in-law Gail Sterling. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to City of Hope, Stanford Medical Center or Saint Jude.

A Celebration of Life will be held on April 28th at 11:00am at the Gardens in Tulare California.