Loretta M. Jay

Loretta M. Jay, 79 of Port Orchard, Washington, passed away on September 7, 2015 in her home. Loretta was born on October 30, 1935 in Duluth, Minnesota to Raymond and Caroline (Muchow) Cressey. Loretta’s mother passed away when she was seven and she went to live with her Aunt and Uncle, Caroline and Louis Muchow of Moorhead, Minnesota.

She began working at Horbacher’s Grocery Store at a very young age and loved it, which prompted her to spend many years in the retail business. She married and had a son, Robert Young, who passed away when he was 24 hours old. In 1958 she had a daughter, Lynn Marie Hable, with whom she always maintained a very close relationship. They moved to Minot, North Dakota in 1960 where she worked at Tempo Department Store. In 1968 Loretta and Lynn started a new adventure and moved to Seattle. Loretta originally got a job with Sears as a collector, but then went to work for Seafirst Bank, where she retired in 1998. During her time with Seafirst, Loretta moved to Richland, Washington to help set up a Customer Service Center. After she retired, she moved to Port Orchard to be closer to her family.

She was a devoted grandmother to Tamalyn (Mark) Merritt and a loving great grandmother to Eric, Anthony and Tracilyn. In addition to her daughter, Lynn Thomas, she had a large extended family with the Muchow, Cressey, Aaron and Wallace families. She had a special place in her heart for Tammy, who she raised as her own daughter. Loretta was a very loving and giving person and one that you always knew what was on her mind. Loretta enjoyed putting together functions and was a regular at the local auction. She joined First Lutheran Church of Port Orchard, where she enjoyed playing the chimes and bells. She was one of the first female officers at the Gig Harbor Elks and always looked forward to Friday Game day and dinner. Loretta was a loyal wife to Bob Jay, loving mother and grandmother, friend to many, and will be missed.

Celebration of Life at 2:00 pm on September 14, 2015 at First Lutheran Community Church in Port Orchard.