Loretta Mary Osborne
On October 23rd, Heaven gained an angel when Loretta Osborne transitioned from this world. In her typical way, Loretta said, “I love you,” to her son before she went, and her passing was peaceful.
Born Loretta Mary Unzueta December 10, 1923, in Santa Barbara, Loretta was the fourth child of Romalda (Medina) and Simon Unzueta. Eventually, there were eight Unzueta siblings; the family was tightknit with everyone chipping in with household chores and looking after the garden, goats, rabbits, and chickens. Loretta walked uphill to McKinley School, attended Santa Barbara Jr. High, and graduated a proud “Don” from Santa Barbara High.
In 1944, Loretta married Hurchel Osborne of Beattyville, Kentucky; in 1945 they welcomed a son, Ken Osborne. The family had a good life in Santa Barbara, enjoying many weekends and holidays with Loretta’s family where Ken was surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins. Loretta was hard-working, never one to shy away from contributing, she carried that trait all through life. From working as a clerk at Learner’s Clothing, to managing the Fountain at Grants, to the Snack Shack Burger Stand at Chapala and Ortega, Loretta greeted everyone with a smile and warmth. When he attended SBHS, Ken got to share that experience with his mom at the Snack Shack and his parents’ work ethic passed to him. In 1981, Loretta and Hurchel moved to Solvang where she made her home for 34 years.
Loretta kept busy working at Fred & Myrtle’s Burger Stand in Buellton and Moore’s Photo in Solvang, but will be most remembered by Valley residents for the years she worked at Roser’s Drugs and the Hallmark Store. Loretta never forgot a face and formed lasting community connections. Loretta valued family, good friends and fun, and made time for those. Loretta loved spending time with her son Ken and she and Ken’s wife, Carolyn, were good friends who could walk a shopping center, a casino, a pretty path for hours, laughing and making memories. Loretta was happy to lend a hand at Ken’s shows; she was proud of the work he did to curate a quality collection of jewelry, Native American and Western artifacts. Loretta always enjoyed the friendly competition of Bingo games at the Senior Center and always made time to drive to spend weekends with her sisters, and then, in later years, was a constant presence at her brother Martin and Belen’s home. All Loretta’s nieces and nephews benefitted from the love, encouragement and attention she shared. As a beloved Tia, Loretta was counted on to listen and to have a good time with. When Loretta was 76, her great-nephew Michael was born, and every week, without fail, for years, Loretta was there to help with child-care. At 80, Loretta would chase Michael around the backyard, take him for walks, and still help Belen to cook dinner! Loretta loved to travel, at the mere mention of a trip, she was packed and ready to go. Loretta felt so special when Ken and Carolyn took her to Opryland! At 86, Loretta joined Martin’s family for their annual trip to Kauai where she delighted in having locals hack into a coconut for her so she could drink the sweet milk, she helped gather driftwood to make a beach-house, and hiked the trails at Waimea Canyon. When she moved to Reno at 92, Loretta enjoyed good years with Ken and Carolyn, cheering on her favorite Nascar drivers and NFL teams, betting the games with Ken, and she was always ready for The Price is Right and Let’s Make a Deal. When Loretta’s health began to really decline, Ken had to make the tough decision to move Loretta to the Terracina Group Care Home; she was lovingly cared for and she still so valued the daily visits and kisses from her son Ken.
Loretta had a whole host of family to welcome her into Heaven; her husband, her parents, and all her siblings were waiting to greet her. Loretta leaves behind Ken and Carolyn, her grandchildren, Mark Eitreim of Asheville NC, Lisa Osborne Hoiseth, and Sheri Sharp of Orcutt, CA, four great grand-children, six great-great grand-children, and three generations of nieces and nephews; all of whom were blessed by Loretta, all of whom will miss her dearly. Funeral services will be Wednesday, November 13, at 10:00 a.m. at Loper Chapel, 2465 Baseline Avenue in Ballard, grave-side services immediately following next door at Oak Hill Cemetery.