Loretta E. McKeever

1933 - 2022

Loretta E. McKeever (Smith), age 88 died on August 1, 2022, of natural causes, with her family by her side. Loretta was born in Brooklyn, NY on 12/20/33 to Dorothy and Eric Smith. Loretta was a graduate of Brooklyn High School for Homemaking and put her skills to use in her many years of parenting in Brooklyn and Staten Island. She was an excellent cook and a consummate hostess; if there was a dance floor, she was on it! Loretta worked in many capacities over her lifetime, including many years as a telephone and Telex operator. She was a Brooklyn original, but spent her final chapters in Manalapan and Holmdel, NJ. During her years in New Jersey, Loretta was a member of several Social Groups. She loved country music, crafting, word-search puzzles, the beach, and traveling. She enjoyed regular trips to Florida and several international trips, first with her husband to Ireland, France and Switzerland, and later to Italy with Andy, her late-in-life love. Loretta was predeceased by her parents and husband, Michael McKeever. She is survived by seven children: Michael (Virginia), Maryellen (Mike) Whalen, Peter, Susan (Paul) Yaworsky, Kevin, Joanne (Gary) O'Neill, James (Mac), twelve grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and her brother Ronald. She enjoyed a lifetime friendship with her best friend Josephine until her passing in 2014. She and Josephine shared many experiences parenting, traveling, and beyond. Services for Loretta, entrusted to Casey Funeral Home, Slosson Avenue, Staten Island, will be with visitation from 4-8 on Thursday, August 4. Her funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph & St. Mary Immaculate Church in Rosebank on Friday, August 5, 2022 at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations to Central World Kitchen would be appreciated https://wck.org/donate