Lebanon, N.H. —
Loretta was born in Claysville, Pa. on July 19, 1946, to parents Lawrence and Mary Gilmore Churney, and graduated from Canon-McMillan High School in 1964. She earned her RN in 1967 from the Ohio Valley General Hospital School of Nursing in Wheeling, W.Va., along with a Bachelor of Arts from the School for Lifelong Learning.
As a nurse, Loretta worked at Yale New Haven Hospital, Middlesex Memorial Hospital in Middletown, Conn., and Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Hanover, where she also taught psychiatric nursing and authored “Hiram Hitchcock’s Legacy,” a history of that institution. She then turned her talents to human resources, first as Employee Relations Administrator at Thermal Dynamics in West Lebanon, then Director of HR at Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont, and for the last 15 years of her career as Director of HR at the Co-op Food Stores in the Upper Valley.
Loretta’s passion was people. Her psychiatric, nursing and HR skills gave her great insight, making her someone many turned to for advice and advocacy. Caring, compassionate and accepting, she always sought the causes of behavior, rather than finding fault. Her smile could light up a room.
While working at Middlesex, she met her life partner, Peter Land. They married on Sept. 2, 1972. Their nearly 50 years together was marked by absolute devotion to each other, numerous adventures, and much love and laughter, shared among an eclectic circle of friends. Together, they traveled far and wide. The planning of these trips was something that gave Loretta great pleasure, as she studied the history, culture and language of the places they would visit. She was especially proud of earning her Pilgrim’s Certificate for walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain.
Diagnosed with cancer in 2014, Loretta tackled it with her characteristic spirit and determination, overcoming a number of setbacks and complications. Her search for outdoor exercise as part of her recovery inspired Peter to create the backyard “wee links” that led to full-scale mini-golf outings with a select group of friends and cancer survivors, which became a treasured weekly tradition.
Loretta touched many lives as a friend, mentor and advisor. She leaves behind her beloved husband Peter; cousins Pat Eagon (Jim Stafford) and Kit Eagon (Barb Woolcott), Pittsburgh; cousins Albert Churney, Jr. (Janet) and Barbara Rush, Waynesburg, Pa.; cousins Sherry Filby, Sandi Fracker (Keith) and Peggy Neuendorf (Bob), Ohio; and an extensive group of close friends, colleagues and associates. Her loss leaves a deep void, but the love she brought to so many will fill it.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Ricker Funeral Home on School Street in Lebanon. Calling hours will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28.
Those wishing to recognize Loretta with a gift in her honor are encouraged to support the Carter Community Building Association Annual Fund at 1 Taylor Street, Lebanon, NH 03766.