It is with profound grief and sorrow that I announce the passing of my dearest mother, “Mama,” Loretta V. “Ret” Daniels, 87, on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018.
Born Feb. 12, 1930, in Baltimore, Md., to Daniel and Cecilia Nardone, Mama was proud of her Italian heritage and clung to and honored her Catholic faith. She prayed the rosary daily with special dedication to Saint Jude and Saint Therese. Mama was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, who, for 60 years, was married to Louie H. Daniels and steadfastly and lovingly cared for him until his passing in 2012.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory and mourn her loss her daughter, Sandra, to whom she was the perfect “mommy”; granddaughter, Luciana, whom Mama believed was “the sun, the moon and the stars””and could do no wrong and who Luciana believed was the most loving Nana in the world; son-in-law, William, and grandson-in-law, Adam, both who helped her in so many ways and whose quiet fortitude provided calm and direction. She was very proud of her family.
My mother was a simple woman with a heart of gold who always put the wants and needs of others above her own. She sacrificed her entire life for her family and gave so much of her heart to others that she had little left for herself; the irony being that it was an infirmed/inadequate heart that caused her passing. Mama never met a stranger and was loved by all. She was the unofficial “greeter” at The Hope House, one of her favorite haunts, and loved chatting with Diana and Frances. Dining out was her favorite pastime, one of which she partook with her daughter several times a week. Thanks to Nichole, Shannon and Joe for being such great servers and for being so kind to her. They made her feel like a queen. Her moral compass was kindness, selflessness, generosity and love for all. She was truly a Lamb of God.
Despite the many adversities and slings and arrows she suffered in life, her faith in God and love of humanity never wavered. In addition to her nuclear family, Mama is survived by one brother, Daniel Nardone; and two sisters, Theresa Mayeski and Antoinette Rutherford. She is also survived by two very special, much-loved nieces, Terri Jendrossek, and Loretta Zimmerman (her godchild), as well as many other nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved and who loved her. Dear friends, Mary Ayers, Dorothy Morris and Elizabeth Perkins helped complete her life and gave her many hours of pleasure, talking with them on the telephone. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Leonard Nardone; and sister, Patricia Spence.
No matter where her travels took her, Baltimore was always her much-loved home. My dearest mother and I shared a bond experienced by few and understood by even fewer. She was my fiercest advocate and defender; she was my champion; she was my best friend; she was my “mommy.” To me, she was perfect, and I marveled at how someone so perfect could find perfection in an imperfect daughter. I will love you forever, Mama. My heart is rent asunder. You gave me unconditional love and taught me kindness and generosity, two abounding qualities of which you possessed. Wait for me at the gate, Mom.
Our family will receive friends and relatives from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 9, at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Bayside Chapel, Virginia Beach. A Mass for Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 10, at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, Virginia Beach, with a celebratory reception immediately following in the Tobias Room of the church social hall. Interment will be private.
Our family wishes to express its gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Nasser Hambaz (and staff) for his friendship, professionalism and caring and for always being there for my mother for so many years. We would also like to thank the staff in the ICU at Sentara Leigh Hospital, especially Marisa, who helped make Mama’s transition peaceful, dignified and loving and to Eric (Dietary), who provided blessings and words of kindness and encouragement. Everyone in the ICU was exemplary and wonderful.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of flowers or donations to Mama’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Our family especially asks that you lift us up in prayer and pray for the repose of Loretta’s soul.
Condolences may be offered to the family at hollomon-brown.com.
