Loretta A. Parshall

Penn Yan, N.Y.

Loretta (Kuczmierowski) Parshall, a resident at the Keuka Comfort Care Home, went home to God on Friday, September 30, 2011. She was 96.

Friends and family are invited to calling hours on Tuesday, October 4, from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. and 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. at St. Michael’s Church, 312 Liberty Street, Penn Yan, New York. All are welcome to join the family in St. Michael’s Chapel at 6:30 P.M. for a recitation of the Rosary, which will be followed by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas (C.D.A.) wake service at 7:00 P.M. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael’s Church in Penn Yan on Wednesday, October 5, at 10:00 A.M.

Loretta was born July 26, 1915 in Windber, Pennsylvania. She was the second of six children born to Joanna and Thomas Kuczmierowski. To escape the perils of the coal mines, her family moved north to farmland in Weston/Tyrone, Schuyler County. After attending Dundee Central School, she spent three years working in New York City. Loretta moved to Penn Yan, married, lovingly raised seven children and resided in Penn Yan for the next 70 years.

Loretta was a devout believer in her Roman Catholic faith and was actively and lovingly involved with St. Michael’s Church, where she became a daily communicant, served as a lector, Eucharistic Minister, lay presider, member of the Parish Council and weekly Bible Study group. She was recently honored for 60 years of service as a Catholic Daughter, and was a past Grand Regent of Court 1173. Loretta was a member of the Nocturnal Adoration Society for close to 30 years and also belonged to the Monday Rosary Prayer Group. In 2005, she initiated, at St. Michael’s Church, “Divine Mercy” Sunday. She particularly enjoyed past retreats at the Cenacle in Rochester and at Notre Dame in Canandaigua. As a member of the Sacred Dance Guild, she performed liturgical dances in many area churches.

Loretta played a key role in bringing programs for senior citizens to the Yates County area. She was instrumental in the development of the Information and Referral Service of Yates County, which later became the Yates County Office of the Aging. She served as secretary on the statewide Council of Senior Citizens Region IX and is a past treasurer of the Senior Citizens Action Council. She also ran for a seat on the Yates County Legislature in 1981. For 30 years, Loretta volunteered her time annually as an election inspector.

Loretta is survived by seven children: Paul Parshall and Sue Letizia of Naples, FL; Daniel (Andrea) Parshall of Hamburg, NY; Lucian (Hannah) Parshall of Lansing, MI; James (Andrea) Parshall of Honeoye, NY; Philip Parshall and Ann Desotelle of Williamsville, NY; Lucius (Christine) Parshall of Keene, NH; Loretta (Dennis) Clark of Benson, VT. She is also survived by her brother Chet Kucmeroski and sister Cecelia (Sally) Alpaugh, both of Rochester; 19 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Elmer “Putt” Parshall (1973), an infant daughter, Penelope (1956), her parents Thomas (1959) and Joanna (1992) Kuczmierowski, and three siblings: sister Helen (1976), brothers Thomas (1983) and Theodore (1999.)

Loretta’s children would like to extend their deep appreciation to her attentive caregivers while at home and to the wonderful staff and volunteers at the Keuka Comfort Care Home in Penn Yan.

Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Michael’s Catholic Daughters, Martha’s Ministry, or St. Michael’s School at 210 Keuka St, Penn Yan, NY 14527 or the Keuka Comfort Care Home at 35 State Rt. 54, Penn Yan, NY 14527.