Loretta Mary Burley

Portland- Loretta Mary Colucci Burley, 91, of Portland, Maine, passed away in the comfort of her home on October 24, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on July 21, 1932, in Portland, Maine to Mary and Joseph Colucci first-generation Italian immigrants from Lettomanoppello, Italy.

Loretta was the third of six children and grew up on Munjoy Hill attending North School and Portland High School. After graduating from Portland High School in 1950, Loretta worked at Nissans Bakery and W.T. Grant as a bookkeeper. It was at a dance at Fort Williams where she met her future husband, John Burley. They were married in 1961 at St. Peters Catholic Church. Loretta accompanied her husband during his service in the United States Air Force, living on Scotts Air Force Base Chicago, Illinois, and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Dayton, Ohio. They returned to Portland in 1970 to raise their family in Deering Center.

Loretta had a passion for line dancing and exercising at Basics Fitness Center, where she made many friends. She also enjoyed traveling to Florida and Ireland. Loretta was a devoted member of the Catholic faith and attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Loretta is survived by her son David Cathey and wife Sandy of Carrollton, Texas; her daughter Ann Marie Burley and partner Debora Coutinho of Dover, NH; Susan Connolly of Largo, Florida; and Kitty Barnes of Portland, Maine. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Loretta was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, John David Burley, her parents Joseph and Mary Colucci, and her brothers and sisters, Tommy Colucci, Anthony Colucci, Patti (Colucci) Pardi, and Richard Colucci.

Our family would like to extend special thanks and appreciation for the continuous care provided by her daughter Kitty Barnes, her granddaughter Mia Gallant and our dear friends and caregivers Bobbi Mullins and Colleen Jones and the staff of Northern Lights Hospice.

A graveside committal service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday October 27th at New Calvary Cemetery, located at 1461 Broadway, South Portland, Maine. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Loretta's memory can be made to St. Judes Children's Hospital.

Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home in Portland, Maine, is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com for the Burley family.