Loretta Sabina Markell

She was born October 21, 1936 in Detroit Michigan, the daughter of Zygmund Karaszewski and Jean Biernat. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Donald Luca.

In addition to her husband Andrew, she is survived by one son, Steven Luca, of Palm Harbor, Florida; her grandsons Vincent Luca of Tampa, Florida and Alexander Luca of Clearwater, Florida; her brothers David Karaszewski of Springdale, Utah and Stanley Karaszewski of Aptos, California; and her stepdaughter Barbara Thomas and her grandson Carter Thomas both of Franklin, Kentucky.

A lifetime resident of southeastern Michigan, Loretta was throughout her life characterized by courage, kindness, empathy, generosity, and ready humor. Always ready to help members of her own and her husband’s families, she many times took them in times of need. She was a great lover of the natural world, and felt a deep kinship with its inhabitants.

Loretta was an artist, fascinated by the work of other artists, and compelled always to explore and create her own art. After raising her two sons and meeting her second husband Andrew, she earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine art at Wayne State University. She shared her love and passion for art as a docent at the Detroit Institute of Art for over twenty years, conducting tours in the museum and also reaching out as a member of the museum’s speakers’ bureau.

She was an active participant in Birmingham Society of Women Painters, where she was a past president, and the Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors where until up to shortly before passing she was the Communications Secretary. Her work has appeared in many local galleries and is in several private collections.

Loretta made this world a better place and will be sorely missed.

Visitation will be held at A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236, on April 25, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

A Funeral Service will take place at A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236, on April 25, 2026, at 4:00 pm.