Loretta Sotell

Loretta Sotell, Age 94, born June 6, 1931, in Brooklyn, NY, passed away on February 25, 2026. She was one of seven children, the cherished daughter of James and Doretta Gibbons. She was the last of the children to survive. Loretta was the beloved wife of Menala Sotell, whom she adored and loved for 73 years. They spent many years travelling in Europe and vacationing in the Caribbean Isles.

She was the devoted mother of Richard and his wife Kathleen, James and his wife Marylynn, Stephanie and her husband Mark Lesslauer, and Martin. Grandmother of Eric, Spencer, Andrew, Lauren, Trevor, Sean, and Kevin. Great-grandmother of Addison.

Loretta graduated from St. Joseph High School in Brooklyn and attended secretarial school. Her initial secretary position was Bank of New York and also Charles Pfizer. She left Park Slope, Brooklyn, in 1978, purchasing a home in Paramus, NJ. After the children left home, Loretta started a career at Macy's, in The Garden State Plaza, where she worked as a salesperson, in many different departments for 25 years. She was a member of the Paramus Senior Center for many years, helping as a volunteer on many committees. She was also a parishioner at Our Lady of the Visitation, Paramus, and was loved by many friends there. Loretta was loved by her grandchildren and will be deeply missed by many.

Family will receive friends on Sunday, March 1, 2026 from 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm at the Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 113 South Farview Avenue, Paramus, NJ. Funeral Service will be held at 9:30am on Monday March 2, 2026, at the Vander Plaat Memorial Home, followed by a 10:00 am Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Visitation R.C. Church, 234 N. Farview Avenue, Paramus. Interment to follow at George Washington Memorial Park.