In Loving Memory Of
Loretta Jean Deines
Loretta Jean Deines, resident of Debolt, AB, passed away on Sunday, February 2, 2020, at Prairie Lake Hospice in Grande Prairie, AB, at the age of 64 years.
Loretta was born in Calgary, AB on March 10, 1955. She was the youngest, and the only girl, of her parents’ four children. In 1977, she came across an article about job opportunities in Hay River and journeyed north, in her candy-apple red car. She had many adventures in the north working in forestry and on fire towers. Her children, Travis and Desiree, were both born in Whitehorse, YT and it was there that she began pursuing her career in education. The family headed south in 1994. In 2001, she moved to her beloved acreage in DeBolt and, in 2002, began her job as principal at Twilight Colony School. The colony split and she eventually oversaw both Twilight Colony and Homeland Colony until her retirement in 2019.
Loretta was very smart, a wonderful mother, a loving grandmother, and an excellent teacher. A student of hers recently said that they appreciated her patience. If they didn’t understand something, she would sit with them and give them the one-on-one help they needed. Her students frequently reached a standard of excellence on the provincial scale. She loved reading books of all kinds and read the entire Harry Potter series to her students at least 5 times. They fondly speak of her commitment towards reading in the unique voices of different characters.
Loretta loved a glass of red wine, travel, crocheting, antique shopping, and spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren. She was an excellent cook and loved hosting holiday dinners at her beautiful home.
She will be sadly missed by her children Travis (Kim) Villeneuve and Desiree (Tony) Miguel; grandchildren: Kashtyn Villeneuve, Cail Stigsen, Leland Villeneuve, Luciana Miguel and Brooklyn Villeneuve; brother John “Jackie” (Anne) Deines and his son John; brother Neil (Pam) Deines; niece Shelly Copping (nee Deines) and her children Arden and Declan; the Hutterites of Twilight and Homeland colonies; as well as countless friends and extended family.
She was predeceased by her father John Deines, mother Jane “Jean” Deines, brother Donald “Donnie” Deines, and niece Heather Villeneuve.
Loretta’s family would like to express their extreme gratitude for the kindness and compassion from the entire team at Prairie Lake Hospice.
A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, February 16, 2020, at 1:00pm, at Oliver’s Funeral Home in Grande Prairie (10005 107 Ave.).
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Loretta Jean Deines March 10 1955 February 2 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Grande-Prairie, Province: Alberta