Loretta Reina Obituary

With full hearts and deep gratitude, we honor the extraordinary life of our beloved mother, Loretta M. Reina, who passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025, at the age of 101.
Loretta's journey began on February 17, 1924, as a fresh and innocent farm girl in the heart of Nebraska. One of eight children, she grew up on a poor Midwestern farm during the Great Depression and through the ravages of the Dust Bowl. These early hardships instilled in her a lifetime of resilience, humility, and strength.
Determined to see the world beyond the farm, Loretta enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II-a bold and pioneering move for a young woman. It was during her service, at a USO event, that she met and married Steve Reina, a sailor from New York City and the love of her life.
A devout Catholic, Loretta was an active and devoted member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, St. Joseph's Rosary Altar Society, and served faithfully as a Eucharistic Minister. She was also a proud member of the New Jersey Legion of Navy Wives, continuing her lifelong dedication to service, faith, and family.
Together, she and Steve raised five children-Pat, Dennis, Rose, Maggie, and Jerry-providing a loving, stable home filled with devotion and sacrifice. Loretta was the consummate homemaker and a frugal genius-clipping coupons, selling tupperware, stretching every dollar, and ensuring her family had three square meals a day. Despite little formal education, she possessed sharp instincts, practical intelligence, and incredible resourcefulness.
In addition to caring for her home and family, Loretta worked as a home health nurse and was also an accomplished beekeeper. As a 4H leader for many years, she positively influenced many young folks lives. The honey she harvested supported the family's pioneering business in the health food industry. Their energy bar, Mother's Nutter's, was one of the first all-natural bars on the market and supported athletic expeditions to the North and South Poles. It was even named the official energy bar of the U.S. Biathlon Team at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.
Loretta was also a fierce competitor at Chinese Checkers, regularly defeating her children and grandchildren-especially her son Dennis, who proudly admits, "She beat my butt every time," even into her 90s.
In her later years, Loretta was quiet, graceful, and filled with love. She welcomed visits from her children with joy and expressed her appreciation to caregivers with gentle smiles and heartfelt gratitude.
She is survived by her five loving children, Pat, Dennis, Rose, Maggie, and Jerry; four grandchildren, Patrick, Will, Aaron, and Holly; two great-grandchildren, Henry and Phoebe; brother Raymond, and sister, Rosalie.
Loretta Reina's life was one of devotion-to her country, her faith, and above all, her family. Her legacy is a testament to the strength of love, the beauty of simplicity, and the quiet heroism found in a life well lived. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
A mass will be held at the Church of the Resurrection, in Portsmouth on Monday, July 14, 2025 at 11AM. Family will receive friends and family at R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home, North Suffolk Chapel on Sunday, July 13, 2025 from 7 to 8:30 PM. Burial will be at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, New Jersey on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 10 AM. Condolences may be registered at RWBakerFH.com.
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