Loretta Fay McElwee

In the presence of family and with the grace and peace of God, Loretta Fay McElwee went to be with the Lord on December 28, 2024 at the age of 89.

Lorretta was a loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother, and a beloved lifelong friend to all she met. Any friend to her children became friends to her. To some of those friends Loretta became a second Mom.

Mom was a craft maker. She loved working with ceramics, along with sewing, and drawing. Mom also loved history, especially that of Santa Barbara County and early history of the Southwest Indian culture. Mom also loved to collect sea shells. She had shells from many sea shores, but especially loved collecting shells from the beaches of Puerto Penasco Mexico.

Loretta was born in Foss Oklahoma. As an infant her family moved to California. She was raised in Gridley California where she met and married Herbert McElwee. The two of them moved to Santa Barbara County where she lived most of her adult life, minus 15 years she spent in Prescott Valley Arizona. Loretta was residing in Solvang at the time of her passing.

Loretta was a devout Christian Woman. She was described by one of her best friends as a “Quite Christian, but when she got wound up you were in for a good sermon”. Through her faith in God, she could work through most anything tossed her way. Being the Wife, Mother, and Grandmother of emergency first responders in both the fire service and HealthCare service, she had a lot of ordeals thrown into her life.

31 Jesus answered them, … 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents Ivan & Florence Loughmiller, Step Father Chester McElwee, Husband Herbert McElwee, Sister Ava Mae Watson, Brothers GR Loughmiller, Alvin Loughmiller, Leon Loughmiller, and Grandson Sean Misner.

Loretta is survived by her Son Tim (Deb) McElwee, Daughter Tammy (Roger) Misner Lane, Son Terry (Mia) McElwee, 6 Grandchildren Steffie (Andrew) Wampler, Travis (Allison) McElwee, Tera (Robert) Geisner, Joshua McElwee, Jeremiah McElwee, and Molly McElwee, Granddaughter in-Law Amanda (DJ) Misner Parker, and 5 Great Grandchildren Sean Jaxson Misner, Clare McElwee, Liam McElwee, Sophia Geisner, & Thomas Wampler, and two Brothers, Larry (Judy) Loughmiller, Ken (Kathy) Loughmiller and Former Son in Law Ron Misner.

“The world changes every year, our lives change daily, but your love and memory will never change or be forgotten.” An Unknown Author

The family will gather for a private Celebration of Loretta’s life.