Loretta Balsewich

On November 28th, 2020, Loretta Balsewich was reunited with her precious dogs Missy and Barney and and crossed the Rainbow Bridge to eternal life in God’s loving arms. She leaves behind her best friend and daughter Sally, and her “grandkitties” Orangie and Bleu; many nephews and nieces, and treasured friends. Loretta loved being a nurse BEFORE computers, working the night shift with Char and Pat and everyone on the OB floor. She loved Lawrence Welk reruns, Everybody Loves Raymond, and White Castle hamburgers with “extra extra onions” to which she would add “it’s okay, I will be alone tonight.” You would see a twinkle in her eyes and a spring in her step when she heard “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”, Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin, or a disco song, especially the Bee Gees from Saturday Night Fever. She also loved Celtic Thunder and said she was not too old to think they were cute. She enjoyed her senior groups at Marquette Park and Queen of the Universe and loved playing bingo and laughing with her many dear friends. She also loved going to Dollar Tree on Sundays and running into her friends from seniors there and sometimes having them paged. She cherished family moments like Christmases of past, watching her nieces and nephews and their families grow up; and mini Hogan family reunions at the Midway Airport Hotel complex with lots of laughter, love, reminiscing and UNO. Loretta loved Labrador Retrievers, saying the only thing better than one was two. Her second favorite breed was every other breed of dog. She loved being a mom and a grandma to furry grandchildren. Most of all, she loved God, her family and friends, dogs and cats and the simple things in life. The world is a little less bright without her. A Brief Visitation will be on December 7, 2020 from 9-11 a.m. followed by her burial. There will be a Celebration of Her Life party in 2021 when it is safer to gather in large groups. While not expected, optional donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Midwest Labrador Rescue are greatly appreciated. Visitation Monday, Dec. 7th, 9AM until time of service 11AM at the funeral home. Interment St. Casimir Lithuanian Cemetery.