Loretta Ellison Skowronek

Loretta Ellison Skowronek twirled her way across life's dance floor for over 98 years. The music stopped on September 9, 2022. Surrounded by family, Loretta peacefully passed from this life on that Friday morning in Sylvania, Ohio.

Loretta Veronica Ellison was born on August 17, 1924, to Harry and Loretta Ellison.  She grew up in East Toledo and attended St. Louis grade school where she began piano lessons which evolved into a lifelong love of music.  After graduating from Waite High School, she worked as a secretary until she married Izzie Skowronek in 1947.  After raising their five children and working side by side at Yorkshire Banquet Hall, the family catering business on Lagrange Street, they retired to Sebring, Florida.  It was there they built a home on a golf course and where they would enjoy their shared hobby of golf until the sudden death of Izzie in 1994.

It was at that point Loretta began to write the script of the final third of her life, solo.  And what a story it was up until the day before she left us last September.  People describe Loretta as sweet, kind, overly apologetic and optimistic.  What many missed under that sweet exterior was a woman who was very determined to be independent and in charge of her own final chapter.  She did it with grace along with concern for those left behind.  It is a legacy which her family holds close to their hearts.

She golfed into her 80’s plus continued her love of gardening, reading, home decorating and the daily crossword.  Later in retirement she added genealogy, dominoes and watching golf from the comfort of her homes that were decorated for every holiday throughout the year.  She also learned to use a computer, Kindle, and smartphone to conduct online banking, email, and facetiming with family across the country. No small accomplishment for anyone but especially for someone born in 1924!

Loretta was preceded in death by her husband, Isadore M. Skowronek, her parents, Harry E. and Loretta (Kellermeier) Ellison, and sisters Kathryn Rossler, Virginia Ellison, and Dorothy Mason. She is survived by her five children and ten grandchildren:  Kathie (Don) Weber and Ellison Weber; Mike Skowronek and Sarah (Seth) Wallis, Jen (Brandon) Hodge, Ann (Kyle) Burnett; Patti Sutton and Lindsay Bessick, Andrew (Paige) Bessick; Chris (Mark) Berry and Kate Berry (Tom Austin), Madeline Berry; Bob (Kristen) Skowronek and Jamie (Eric) Wead, Nikki Skowronek.  Her ten great-grandchildren include Zach and Ben Wallis, Matthew, Ryan and Audrey Hodge, Harrison and Sullivan Burnett, Owen and Ben Bessick, and Easton Wead.

When asked about their mother's greatest accomplishment, her children agreed that her living independently until two months before her death was truly remarkable.  Loretta's view on her most significant achievement?  Her family.  They dearly miss her.

To remember her remarkable life the family asks their guests to dress joyfully to celebrate the happiness Loretta brought to so many others over her 98 years.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Loretta’s life beginning at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 4100 Harvest Lane, Toledo, with memorial Mass at 11:00 a.m.  A luncheon and gathering in the church fellowship hall will immediately follow Mass.  Loretta will be laid to rest next to her husband at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Toledo on Monday, June 19th at 9 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, those who would like to contribute to her memory are asked to consider Notre Dame Academy, 3535 W. Sylvania, Toledo, OH 43623, or St. Francis de Sales School, 2323 W. Bancroft, Toledo, OH 43607 (Skowronek/Zychowicz Scholarship Fund.)