Rockford, Illinois – Loretta Marie Tortorice Thompson, age 76, passed away unexpectedly and peacefully on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, from reduced respiratory functioning. She was born on December 21, 1945, in Madison, Wisconsin, and attended St. Joseph's School and Edgewood High School. Growing up near Vilas Park, she spent many happy days at the park's zoo and by the creek. She received a BA in sociology and MS in social work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She worked as a family therapist for a number of years at clinics in Wisconsin. She and her husband, Steve, met while in graduate school in Madison and lived briefly in Wisconsin before moving to Rockford in 1985.

For thirty years, Loretta's creativity was expressed in writing, painting, and pen and ink designs that were inspired by the Lord. Loretta cherished her immediate family, whose distance away was no match for God's blessing, as she named David, Alyssa, Will, Zach, and Rachel in her prayers. Her prayers to Jesus also encompassed a global map that God used to prompt her prayers on behalf of many missionaries she knew. Loretta was a long-time member of First Free Rockford. She is survived by her husband, Steve of Rockford; her son, David (Alyssa) Moir of Seattle, Washington; her daughter, Rachel Moir of Sheboygan, Wisconsin; sister. Carol Prugh of Madison, Wisconsin; brother, Dan (Char) Tortorice of Madison, Wisconsin; John Tortorice of Tucson, Arizona; Mary Tortorice of Dodgeville, Wisconsin; nephews, Adam and Brian, niece, Angela; and grandsons, William and Zachary Moir. She is preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Mary (Diloreto) Tortorice, and brother-in-law, Robert Prugh. Great appreciation for the care, friendship, and fellowship are expressed to Kathy and Mantalla Ellis, Willie Taylor, Yvonne Tillman, Deaconesses, and Cornerstone Adult Community of First Free Rockford.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at First Free Church, 2223 N. Mulford Rd., Rockford, Illinois, at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2022, with Pastor Chuck Rife officiating. Visitation is from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. before the service. Burial took place at Scandinavian Cemetery. Arrangements under the care of Tony Gasparini Funerals of Rockford, Illinois. Memorial gifts may be made to Northern Illinois Food Bank [solvehungertoday.org] or Rock River Valley Pantry [www.rrvp.org].