Loretta Cawelti

Obituary of Loretta Cawelti

Loretta Cawelti, executive director of Temple Sinai (1988-2000), BMH-BJ (2007-2012), and cherished member of Denver's Jewish community, passed away on December 4, 2025, in Denver.

Loretta McMillen, the eldest of four daughters, was born Dec. 20, 1943, to Dorothy Bell McMillen and Ray McMillen in Denver. She spent her early years in Denver and Salinas, Calif., started school in Topeka, Kan., moved to Kansas City, Mo. at age 11, and went to Ruskin High School in Raytown, Mo.

Since both parents worked full-time, the responsibility of caring for her three sisters fell on Loretta's shoulders.

"Loretta's proudest achievement was raising good people with good values, including her sisters and her children," her family said. She attended Kansas City Junior College and Wichita University. On April 28, 1965, Loretta converted to Judaism under Rabbi Judah Miller at Temple Emanu-El in Wichita. Passionate about her faith, she was a perennial student. Loretta married Berle Landow, a retail jeweler, on June 20, 1963, and they had three children, Kalen, Bill, and Loren. The family lived in Wichita, Kan., Springfield, Mo., and Topeka, Kan. The family moved back to Denver in 1968 and joined Temple Sinai, and were among the congregation's earliest members. Although the marriage ended in 1975, they remained good friends. Mutual friends George and Sandy Green arranged for Loretta to go on a date with Don Cawelti of Denver. The couple married on Aug. 20, 1977. Don's daughter, Jennifer, and son Steve completed the blended family. The pair enjoyed spending time with the kids, exploring the Colorado Rocky Mountains, traveling extensively, reading, and theater. Mr. Cawelti passed away on May 1, 2013.

A tireless volunteer at Temple Sinai, Loretta's positions included religious schoolteacher, 1969-1974; Sisterhood VP of fundraising, programming, membership, and then president, 1982-83; Gift Shop chairperson, 1983-85; first administrator of the Jewish Interest Free Loan of Colorado; and board of trustees' VP of fundraising.

She was named Temple Sinai's Volunteer of the Year in 1985 and honoree at Sinai's Annual Gala in 1995. Loretta was the administrator of Sinai in 1988 and was officially named executive director in 1990.

"One of the best decisions I ever made was asking Loretta to take over as executive director," said Temple Sinai founding Rabbi Raymond Zwerin. "She was a blessing to the temple, and to me - the very best person for this complex job." He said that clergy, congregants, office staff, and employees never stopped smiling due to her kind, humorous, and compassionate ways. "Great bosses make things happen," Zwerin said. "Great people make things happen when everyone's dignity is assured and appreciation always given."

A senior member of NATA (National Association of Temple Administrators) and member of Mountain Area Temple/Synagogue Administrators, Loretta was on the community advisory board of Norwest Bank and active in JNF and the Butterfly Pavilion. Prior to becoming BMH-BJ's executive director, she was interim educational director from 2001-2002 and director of business and administration from 2005-2007 at the synagogue.

Loretta loved Colorado, especially in autumn. One of her favorite excursions was her annual mountain drive between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. She also enjoyed visiting Palisade for peaches in August.

Regardless of her destination, she never refused an opportunity to eat ice cream.

"Loretta was unflappably positive and optimistic, even when her health was failing," her loved ones said.

Loretta Cawelti is survived by her children Kalen (Peter Coster) Landow, Bill (Kate) Landow, Loren (Michelle) Landow and Jennifer (Hank Audet) Cawelti; sisters Patricia (Don) Coleman and Karen (Dwight) Cook; grandchildren Jack (Isobel) Cawelti, Grace Cawelti, Megan Lewis, Tyler Lewis, Taylor Landow, Morgan Landow, Isaac (Moose) Landow and Veronica Landow; great-grandson Sonny Cawelti; and in-laws Gene Landow and Betty Landow.

She was predeceased by her sister Alice Payne, stepson Steve Cawelti, and grandson Nate Cawelti.

Service Sunday, December 7, 2025, 1:00 pm, Temple Sinai, 3509 S. Glencoe Street. Livestream available on Temple Sinai website.

Burial at Mt. Nebo Cemetery immediately following, Shiva at Temple Sinai immediately after the burial. All are invited.

In lieu of flowers, Loretta Cawelti's family requests memorial gifts to:

Temple Sinai Ilene Shiroff Memorial Fund (https://sinaidenver.shulcloud.com)

BMH-BJ (https://www.bmh-bj.org)

Babi Yar Park (https://mizelmuseum.org/exhibit/babi-yar-park-a-living-holocaust-memorial/)

Razom for Ukraine (https://www.razomforukraine.org/)

Word of Thanks Fund (via Next with Kyle Clark)(https://www.9news.com/thanks)

Alzheimer's Association, Colorado Chapter (https://www.alz.org/co)

St. Jude’s (https://www.stjude.org)