Loretta Gross

Loretta J. Gross “beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister”

CLARA, Pa.---Loretta J. Gross, 61, of Clara, passed away on Monday, February 22, 2021, in the Olean General Hospital, Olean, N.Y., after a short illness.

Born on Thursday, December 3, 1959 in Wellsville, N.Y., she was a daughter of Edward E. and Mary A. Drake Smith. On August 30, 1975 in Millport, she married Barry L. Gross, who survives.

Loretta was a graduate of Oswayo Valley High School in Shinglehouse.

She loved feeding the birds and also loved her cat, Bandit. Loretta’s greatest love was her family and her patriotic love for her country.

Surviving in addition to her husband are a son, Cody L. (Nedra) Gross of Clara; three sisters, Norene (Robert) Simonds of South Carolina, Edwina (Randy) Parker of Olean, N.Y., and Betty (Ed) Majot of Little Genesee, N.Y.; three brothers, Edward Smith of Olean, N.Y, Marcus Smith of Wellsville, N.Y., and Micah Smith of Portville, N.Y.; three grandchildren, Brody (Kaitlin) Taylor of Shinglehouse, Honor Gross of Shinglehouse, and Emma Gross of Coudersport; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Loretta was predeceased by a daughter, Kelly S. Taylor who passed away in 2007.

Private funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 25, 2021, at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse. Burial will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Shinglehouse.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National MS Society, PO Box 91891, Washington, DC 20090-1891 or to the LEEK Hunting and Mountain Preserve, 497 Rte 244, Oswayo, PA 16915.

Loretta’s family has entrusted her care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences or share a fond memory of Loretta, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.

COVID-19 restrictions will be strictly adhered to, including facial masks and social distancing.