Loretta Ann Palko

Loretta Ann (Kluchenac) Palko passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of Sunday, March 24, 2024. Loretta was born in Yonkers, NY on October 28, 1943. She attended Saint Barnabas Catholic School in Bronx, NY, from kindergarten to 12th grade. Afterward, Loretta attended Westchester Community College. She then worked as a dental assistant in the New York City area for many years. Soon after, she met Michael (Mike) Palko in 1965, and they were married on March 30, 1967. This March 30th would have been their 57th wedding anniversary.

Loretta worked as a real estate paralegal for well over 30 years, starting with Don Lawrence and the Lawrence Law Firm in the early 1980s and finishing her career with Bennett, Beswick, and McConkey in Morehead City, NC. Loretta volunteered many years for the Catholic Daughters of America and other organizations within Annunciation Catholic Church over the 45 years they belonged to the parish. She was a devoted wife to Mike Palko and a great Mother to her sons, Michael and John. Loretta will be remembered for her devotion to planning and taking her sons to their tennis and golf tournaments over many years and planning their annual family beach trip to Emerald Isle, NC.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, Francis (Frank) and Josephine Kluchenac, as well as her one and only sibling, Elizabeth Kluchenac Pohlot. She is survived by her husband, Mike Palko; son, Michael Palko, of Holly Springs, NC, and spouse, Ann; son, John Palko, of Charlotte, NC, and spouse, Barbara, and her grandchildren; Zachary Palko, Jacob Palko, and Tyler Palko.

The family is grateful to Liberty Homecare & Hospice Services of Matthews, NC. You made it easy when times were tough.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 11:00am at St. Luke Catholic Church 9800 Fairview Road Mint Hill, NC 28227.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a gift in Loretta’s memory be made online to the Lewy Body Dementia Association at https://www.lbda.org/donate/.