Obituary of Loretta Washburn

It is with sadness that the family of Loretta Washburn announces her passing at home on Monday, November 18, 2024, surrounded by her family.

In a world full of possibilities, Loretta could have been anything she wanted. She was sharp, organized and had an undeniable sense of style. A modern thinker with a great sense of humor, Loretta knew how to light up a room. What she chose to be was an amazing wife, mother and grandmother. For her, that was everything.

Loretta was born on July 9, 1935 on the family farm at Garden Creek. The family later moved downtown where she would spend her teenage years. She was a proud graduate of Fredericton High School where she did an extra year to get her credentials to teach business education. Loretta loved to dance and coincidentally she met her husband, LeRoy, when she asked him out to a Sadie Hawkins dance. They married on August 14, 1956. 

In 1963 LeRoy and Loretta decided that the recently created Town of Oromocto was where they wanted to raise their family. She believed in the power of giving back to her community and volunteered for the Oromocto Hospital Auxiliary, St. Vincent-de-Paul CWL (having just received her 60 year pin), the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Athletics Canada, among other organizations. Sports were an important part of her family life. She made sure her kids were supported in anything they wanted to do. She was often both mother and father, cook, taxi driver, homework enforcer and her kids biggest fan. Loretta was happiest when she was caring for others, whether that was an aging parent, a sick friend, her children or chasing after her grandchildren. She had the ability to juggle a dozen things at once with a smile on her face and not a hair out of place.

She was predeceased by her parents John and Mary Goodine, her husband of 63 years LeRoy and his parents Tom and Dorothy Washburn. In addition, her siblings Dr. Raymond Goodine, Thelma Monahan, Doris Ryan (Jack), Phyllis Mitton (Earl), Barb Rowan (Bill), sisters-in-law Doreen Goodine and Diane Jensen and brothers-in-law Tom (Sharon) and Irl Washburn.  

Left to mourn are her children Michael (Kathy), Lori (Brad) and Derek (Linda), all of Fredericton, Teri VanIderstine (Jim) of Maquapit Lake and Patrick of Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. Her grandchildren Heather Crawford (Rory), Jayme (Nate), Thompson, Mackenzie (Allie), Matthew, Mike (Lauren), Andrew Washburn, Ryan Van Iderstine and great granddaughter Haylee Washburn, her brother Ron Goodine, sister-in-law Betty Washburn, brother-in-law Allan Washburn (Karen), Albert Sturgeon, as well as several special nieces and nephews. 

Through the cooperation and determination of her care team (Mike, Lori, Derek, Teri, Jim and Ryan), Loretta was able to spend her final years in her own home. This was something that gave her great peace and comfort. As a family we mourn her passing but are happy that she is now reunited with her loved ones and no doubt dancing up a storm on the clouds in heaven. Thank you Mom, you were unbelievable!

A special thank you to Dr. P. Fraser, Dr. K. Brown, Dr S. Frenette and the palliative care team. Our heartfelt thanks to the Oromocto Extramural team for the outstanding care you provided Mom—your support has been truly appreciated, our “Angels on Wheels”.

Visitation will be held at Oromocto Funeral Home on Thursday, November 21, 2024 - 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Vincent-de-Paul Catholic Church, Oromocto, NB, on Friday, November 22, 2024 at 11:00 AM. Reception to follow in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, donations in Loretta's memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society or to the LeRoy Washburn Memorial Scholarship Fund at St. Thomas University.