Loretta Samuelian

Vibrant, free-spirited, and independent, Loretta Samuelian made a significant impact in the lives of all who were near. She wasn’t afraid to do things her own way, and there was nothing like one of her fun-loving jokes. Loretta was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved to care for her family. With the love of her life by her side for 59 years, she experienced so many of the best things that life has to offer. As her family and friends can attest, Loretta could be a bit feisty at times, but her spunk was part of what made her so much fun to be around. Throughout her rich and rewarding life she created a brilliant tapestry of memories that will be forever cherished by those she leaves behind.

Nearly a century has passed since the early 1900s when life in America was so drastically different from the life we know and love today. There were unsafe working conditions all across our great land, and with a lack of child labor laws it was often the nation’s youth who paid the highest price. The workplace was full of plenty of young people, too, since they were more often found there than they were in a classroom. It was during this eventful time that a young couple from Detroit, Michigan, was blessed with the birth of a healthy baby girl on May 7, 1916. Loretta was one of seven children born to her parents, Adolph and Matilda (Richard) Otto, and she was raised in the family home alongside her siblings, Leo, Helen, Gertrude, Harry, Francis, and Ruth. Her father worked as a laborer while her mother was a busy homemaker.

For the most part Loretta experienced an upbringing that was a reflection of her generation. She was a bustle of activity right from the start and wasn’t afraid of trying new things. She liked roller skating, although she did break her arm, and she was also a fast runner who won a box camera for one of her races. In addition, Loretta was a great speller who won a dictionary, and at home she could often be found playing dolls with her sisters. In many ways she grew up rather quickly as she left school after the tenth grade to work in order to help make ends meet within the family, although this was not uncommon at the time. Loretta also took care of both her mother and her father while they were ill.

New and exciting changes were in store for Loretta when she met the young man who would forever hold the key to her heart. He was a young soldier in the Army who was stationed in Detroit named Hutch Samuelian. They met while dancing at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit, which was something Loretta loved to do. Sparks flew right from the start, and with a desire to establish a life together Loretta and Hutch were united in marriage in 1944 in a local church with a reception that followed at her sister’s home. The newlyweds then set off for a honeymoon at Niagara Falls.

Together Loretta and Hutch were overjoyed to welcome two children, Gerald and Patricia, into their hearts and home. Loretta was an integral part of her children’s lives, and she greatly influenced them as well. She always tried to teach them right from wrong, and she was a hard worker who modeled a strong work ethic for them. For several years Loretta worked as an assembly line worker at Parke-Davis and Red Devil Paint Products. She also worked as a service worker at Korvette's Department Store.

Throughout her life Loretta was the heartbeat of wherever she was. As a very social person, she loved going to family gatherings and weddings. There were annual vacations to Waukegan, Illinois, to visit family and fish in Lake Michigan as well as a family vacation to the Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin. Later in life Loretta and Hutch took trips to places like Boston, New York City, Maine, Washington, D.C., Montreal and Quebec, and several Southern states. Family gatherings for both Thanksgiving and Christmas were among some of Loretta’s favorite times. Of course they always celebrated family birthdays as well.

Always one to be busy, Loretta was a woman of many interests. She was a devout Catholic who attended services weekly. While spending winters in Clearwater, Florida, for 25 years, Loretta and Hutch fished in the Gulf of Mexico every single day they were there, and eating what they caught was a daily regimen. In fact, on one occasion she caught the largest fish of the entire season! As a result, her picture was taken and posted in the bait shop. Loretta enjoyed watching sports on television, especially when the Lions, Tigers, and Red Wings were playing, in addition to the Olympics, golf, and tennis. She faithfully read the newspaper each day, although she read it in her own unique way as she wore a special apron to keep from getting printers ink on her clothes!

All who knew Loretta would agree that she was truly one of a kind. When feeling a bit feisty, she often addressed people with, “Who the hell are you?!” which always made everyone around her laugh. Loretta wore shorts year around and was even spotted shoveling snow in her shorts! Some of her favorite sayings were, "Strike while the iron's hot,” and, ”Put your shoulder to the wheel.” At the young age of 78, Loretta was helping Hutch cut down a huge tree in the front yard wearing a yellow hard hat. When he walked back in the house, two men drove by and noticed her and all the large branches all over the yard so they asked Loretta if she needed help cutting down the tree. In true Loretta style she replied, "No, I got it!” Even while living in assisted living she didn’t shy away from being independent as they couldn’t get her out of her favorite yellow sweater, and she also couldn’t ever be without her flashlight.

With a contagious zest for life, Loretta Samuelian put the sparkle into the world around her. She always had a good outlook on life and approached everything with great strength and courage that were to be admired. Loretta had the best sense of humor and her own little quirks that were truly her own. With unending love for her family, she was a genuine blessing to all who were within her reach. Loretta will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Loretta Samuelian died on November 11, 2014. Loretta’s family includes her children, Gerald (Vicki) and Patricia (Patrick) Reynolds; grandchildren, Karen and Kristie (John) Cunningham; great-grandchild, Evan Cunningham; and step great-grandchild Charles Cunningham. Loretta was preceded in death by her husband, Hutch. Family will receive friends Friday 3-6 p.m. at Neely-Turowski Life Story Funeral Home, 45100 Warren Road, Canton, where a service will be held at 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Meals on Wheels, www.mowaa.org. Please visit www.TurowskiLifeStory.com where you may sign the guestbook, share a memory, or upload a photo.