Obituary of Sr. Loretta Maloof

SR. LORETTA MALOOF CSJ Sister Loretta Maloof, CSJ (Sister Francis Loretta), 88, died Saturday, December 17, at St. Mary's Hospital, Troy, NY. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for the past 68 years. Sister Loretta was born on July 26, 1923 in Oneida, NY, daughter of the late Frank and Victoria Simpson Maloof. After graduating from Oneida High School, she entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph on August 15, 1943. Sister Loretta received a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's degree in special education, both from The College of Saint Rose. For 44 years, she taught in schools in the Albany, Syracuse and Honolulu Dioceses and served in special education at the Carondelet Educational Center, Latham. In addition, Sister Loretta served as a minister to the elderly at St. Patrick's Parish, Oneida; volunteered at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Utica; and took care of her beloved mother. For several years in her teaching career, Sister Loretta spent summers tutoring inner-city children in St. Louis as part of the Carondelet Community Betterment Federation, under the direction of the renowned Sister Marie Charles Buford, CSJ. Sister Loretta had a warm, loving heart and a spirit of willingness to be of service to God's people whenever she could. An honest, precise and determined woman, she had a deep commitment to children with learning disabilities. Gifted with a keen sense of humor, Sister Loretta was a storyteller par excellence, especially regarding her cousin, Danny Thomas; she was delighted and proud when Danny and his wife, Rose Marie, visited St. Joseph's Provincial House. Sister Loretta was a faithful Sister of St. Joseph, wholly dedicated to her life of prayer, ministry and community, and deeply devoted to her family. Sister Loretta is survived by her dear sister, Betty Maloof of Oneida; many friends; and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Dorothy, and many friends in the Sisters of St. Joseph. Sister Loretta's funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 21, at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel of St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham. Interment will be in Our Lady Queen of Virgins Cemetery on the Provincial House grounds. Calling hours will be held at the Provincial House on Tuesday, December 20 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Contributions in Sister Loretta's memory may be made to the Development Office of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110.