Sr. Loretta Ann Ewing, CSJ

Sister Loretta Ann Ewing, a member of the Congregation of St. Joseph, died peacefully on December 12, 2022 at Ascension Living Borgess Place, Kalamazoo MI. Marilyn Louise Ewing, adopted daughter of Vada T. and Lloyd B. Ewing, was born in Kokomo, IN on October 26, 1946. Her siblings include Margaret Kline (Pat deceased), Sam Mast (Patty), Robert Mast (deceased), Helen Moldeski (deceased), Katie (Mary) Conn (deceased), and many generations of loving nieces and nephews.

Baptized at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Kokomo, IN, she graduated from the parish grade school there. Having graduated from Kokomo High School in 1965, she expressed interest in the life of a Sister of St. Joseph in Tipton, IN and entered the convent there on September 7, 1965. Upon receiving the religious habit, she was named Sister Loretta Ann and later professed final vows to God on August 15, 1971. Sr. Loretta celebrated her Golden Jubilee (50 years) as a Sister of St. Joseph in 2015 amidst her religious sisters, her family, and many friends at St. Joseph Parish, Elwood.

Sr. Loretta Ann received her initial training as a nurse’s aide at the Motherhouse Infirmary; her obvious giftedness for this ministry was noted and she began training as a Nursing Assistant (CNA) at St. Joseph Hospital in Kokomo where she served happily for four years. In 1972 she was invited to minister in the congregation’s Mercy Hospital in Elwood, Indiana where Loretta served faithfully for the next 25 years retiring in 1997. After this, Sr. Loretta found an outlet for her life-long desire to serve God’s people taking positions in Community VNA, St. Vincent Homecare/Hospice and finally in 2005 she began her own business providing private duty home care for multiple families in the Elwood area.

In her personal life, Loretta, called Lottie by her friends, enjoyed being a neighbor to so many. As a faithful friend and neighbor she might be found walking a friend’s dog, sharing meals, driving others to food banks, to get groceries, or to concerts in the park. Her hobbies over the years have included gardening, working with horses, watching the COLTS, and her making amazingly creative greetings made from re-cycled cards. She will be remembered always for her love of and interest in all people, her willingness to share herself with any and all in need. She especially treasured those times when she could “hang out” with family and dear friends.

Loretta always expressed the deep gratitude she felt for her Congregation of St. Joseph. She was devoted to the CSJ Mission and Ministry of Profound Love of God and Love of Neighbor without distinction and she was always ready to respond.

May Sister Loretta Ann rest in her God’s eternal peace.