Loretta A Karpelenia

Visitation is Sunday, November 12, 2023, from 2:30-4:30 pm at St. Johns Greek Orthodox Church, 2418 W. Swann Ave, Tampa, FL. Service is Monday, November 13, 2023, at St. John Greek Orthodox Church, Divine Liturgy will be at 10:00 am and the service will be at 11:30 am. Following the service there will be a luncheon at St. John Greek Orthodox Church at the Kourmolis Center. Interment will follow at 3 p.m. at Curlew Hills Memorial Gardens, 1750 Curlew Rd, Palm Harbor, FL, 34683.

Loretta A. (Pellegrino) Karpelenia, age 93, passed away, peacefully, on Monday, November 6, 2023. Loretta was born in Bethlehem, PA on August 10, 1930. She was the daughter of Lucy (Angeline) and Fioreavanti Pellegrino.

Loretta received her degree in elementary education from the University of Michigan, Flint Campus. A lifelong elementary school teacher, Loretta, earned the respect and admiration of not only her students but parents and colleagues alike.

Loretta’s Orthodox Faith was always at the core of how she lived her life. She was a faithful member of St. John Greek Orthodox Church and sang in the choir. As the wife of a priest, moving from parish to parish was inevitable. This allowed Loretta to become the choir director in at least six of them. Her love of music and enthusiasm built choirs of excellence across the country.

Loretta belonged to many professional organizations and groups over the years. She was especially proud of being a member of The Silver Sneakers at the YMCA in Country Way, participating three or four times a week. Loretta loved her Silver Sneaker Friends.

Loretta loved her family and left behind children: Daria Stowell, Denise Ghattas (Habeeb), and David Karpelenia (Tami). Grandchildren: Anthony Stowell (Layne), Ember Christiano (Frankie), Morgan Semaan (Will), and Daria Karpelenia. Great Grandchildren: Jayden Horner, Payton Horner, Riley Elizabeth Stowell, Corey David Stowell, Liam Daniel Christiano, William Emile Semaan III, and Charlotte (Charlie) Mae Stowell.

Loretta is preceded in death by her husband. The Very Right Reverend Father Basil Karpelenia, parents, Lucy and Fiore Pellegrino, son, Daniel Karpelenia, son-in-law David A. Stowell, and sister, Jackie Baxter.

Loretta and her family would like to thank “Her girls,” the “Angels of South Tampa,” Dee, Andrea, Lucy, and Mary for all of their contributions toward her quality of life over the last five months.

A very special thank you goes to Fonda Donaldson, Loretta’s “Angel from God.”

The family of Loretta wishes to thank the nurses on 6A at Tampa General Hospital. All of them were wonderful.

Contributions may be made to St. John Greek Orthodox Church and Life Path Hospice.