| Loretta Mae Reeves Escher |
Published online on June 26, 2019 courtesy of Dignity Memorial.
LORETTA MAE ESCHER
JULY 16, 1935 - JUNE 24, 2019
Loving and talented mother and grandmother,
Loretta Mae (Reeves) Escher died Monday, June
24 at the age of 83, 2019 at Ashby Ponds Senior
Living in Ashburn, Virginia.
Loretta was born on July 16, 1935 and raised in
Washington, D.C., by her adoptive parents William
and Lillian Reeves and by her beloved maternal
grandparents "Nannie and Sockie", Carson and
Wilhemina Hall.
In recent years she was contacted by members of her birth family and is survived by
her younger brother, Jerry (and wife Joanne) Bradley. Graduating from Anacostia
High School in 1953, Loretta had the distinction of being Valedictorian of her class.
Excelling in academics, she was awarded a four-year scholarship by George
Washington University. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree in Journalism in
1957 and joined the Naval Research Laboratory as a technical editor and writer.
Early in her career with the NRL she was assigned to project Vanguard, working with
the rocket/satellite team in Cape Canaveral, Florida. It was there she met and
married her husband, William Escher, just 6 weeks after meeting, on March 9, 1958.
Loretta was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years (2014) and is survived by
their children Melanie, Daric (and wife Glenna), Justin (and wife Lizbeth) and Lauryn
(and husband Curt) as well as 8 grandchildren.
Zeddy, as she was known by her grandchildren, leaves a legacy of learning, curiosity
and love. Loretta dedicated much of her life to her children, husband and his career.
There were moves to Cleveland, Washington, D.C., Huntsville, AL and the Los
Angeles area. When the family relocated to St. Johns, Michigan in 1970, it was to
become where they called home. It is near this home that Loretta will be laid to her
final rest, next to her beloved Bill, in a Memorial Ceremony at DuPlain Cemetery, in
August.
Loretta's life journey of changing scenery continued after successfully raising her
Children in St. Johns. She continued to follow the path of her husband's career which
led them to Toronto, Canada, Madison, Wisconsin, back to Los Angeles, back to
D.C. and back to Huntsville.
Loretta fostered strong friendships everywhere she lived and was an active volunteer
in church and community. She enjoyed music and dance and had a love of animals.
Loretta was always interested in connecting with history and culture at every
opportunity, attending concerts, lectures and visiting museums, locally and on the
many trips she and her husband made abroad, including to Japan, India, Australia
and Europe.
Loretta was an amazing woman who was characterized by her bright intellect and
desire to discuss current events, read, write and always learn. It gave her joy to share
her interests with others. She will live on in all of the people she has touched and
influenced during her life.
Please join her family in celebrating her life and the many wonderful memories she
has left for all of us.
.
LORETTA MAE ESCHER
JULY 16, 1935 - JUNE 24, 2019
Loving and talented mother and grandmother,
Loretta Mae (Reeves) Escher died Monday, June
24 at the age of 83, 2019 at Ashby Ponds Senior
Living in Ashburn, Virginia.
Loretta was born on July 16, 1935 and raised in
Washington, D.C., by her adoptive parents William
and Lillian Reeves and by her beloved maternal
grandparents "Nannie and Sockie", Carson and
Wilhemina Hall.
In recent years she was contacted by members of her birth family and is survived by
her younger brother, Jerry (and wife Joanne) Bradley. Graduating from Anacostia
High School in 1953, Loretta had the distinction of being Valedictorian of her class.
Excelling in academics, she was awarded a four-year scholarship by George
Washington University. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree in Journalism in
1957 and joined the Naval Research Laboratory as a technical editor and writer.
Early in her career with the NRL she was assigned to project Vanguard, working with
the rocket/satellite team in Cape Canaveral, Florida. It was there she met and
married her husband, William Escher, just 6 weeks after meeting, on March 9, 1958.
Loretta was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years (2014) and is survived by
their children Melanie, Daric (and wife Glenna), Justin (and wife Lizbeth) and Lauryn
(and husband Curt) as well as 8 grandchildren.
Zeddy, as she was known by her grandchildren, leaves a legacy of learning, curiosity
and love. Loretta dedicated much of her life to her children, husband and his career.
There were moves to Cleveland, Washington, D.C., Huntsville, AL and the Los
Angeles area. When the family relocated to St. Johns, Michigan in 1970, it was to
become where they called home. It is near this home that Loretta will be laid to her
final rest, next to her beloved Bill, in a Memorial Ceremony at DuPlain Cemetery, in
August.
Loretta's life journey of changing scenery continued after successfully raising her
Children in St. Johns. She continued to follow the path of her husband's career which
led them to Toronto, Canada, Madison, Wisconsin, back to Los Angeles, back to
D.C. and back to Huntsville.
Loretta fostered strong friendships everywhere she lived and was an active volunteer
in church and community. She enjoyed music and dance and had a love of animals.
Loretta was always interested in connecting with history and culture at every
opportunity, attending concerts, lectures and visiting museums, locally and on the
many trips she and her husband made abroad, including to Japan, India, Australia
and Europe.
Loretta was an amazing woman who was characterized by her bright intellect and
desire to discuss current events, read, write and always learn. It gave her joy to share
her interests with others. She will live on in all of the people she has touched and
influenced during her life.
Please join her family in celebrating her life and the many wonderful memories she
has left for all of us.
.