Loretta Jean Pearce

Loretta Jean Pearce, 88, of Great Falls passed away at Peace Hospice on Saturday, December 19, 2020, due to complications from COVID-19. Loretta was born in the Deaconess Hospital in Great Falls on January 29, 1932, to Jean and Joe Miller. She grew up in Great Falls and graduated from Great Falls High School in 1950. Her first job was working for her Uncle Alex Gordon at the Glass Art Shop. She married Robert “Scotty” Pearce in 1955. Loretta enjoyed her time working in the library office at C.M. Russell High School and later in the Cascade County Clerk and Recorder’s office, from which she retired. She was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church. Over the years, she enjoyed bowling. Once she retired, she played pool and pinochle with a lively group at the Great Falls Senior Center. Loretta looked forward to time spent with her friend of more than 30 years, Rita Hudak, annual luncheons with retirees from the Cascade County Courthouse, and monthly Great Falls High class luncheons. Loretta appreciated the outdoors. She enjoyed her yard and excursions to the Gordon Ranch east of Great Falls. She went fishing and camping on Holter Lake and fishing with her family on the Missouri River. She enjoyed frequent trips over many years with grandchildren and family at the Hopper Cabin on the Smith River. Loretta often visited Oregon for holidays and made many fond memories with her grandchildren, daughter Lezlie, and son-in-law Warren. Croquet, miniature golf, and tacos at The Treat were prominent in those memories. She also liked taking trips, including Scotland with Scotty, Hawaii with her family, Canada for a Gordon Clan reunion, the East Coast, and several ocean cruises with friends. Loretta was able to attend both Lindsey’s and Kelly’s graduations from high school in Oregon and undergraduate degrees in Bozeman, MT (Lindsey) and Rochester, NY (Kelly). She also went to see Lindsey receive degrees in law and an MPH, and Kelly in law and an MBA. She was very proud of her grandchildren and was also able to attend Lindsey’s wedding. Last December, Loretta was able to spend Christmas with her grandchildren and their spouses and meet her great-grandson, Thomas. The walls in her room in the memory care home were lined with many of his photos. Loretta is survived by her daughter, Lezlie (Warren) Pearce-Hopper; grandchildren, Lindsey (Kyle Thomas) Hopper and Kelly (Jennifer) Hopper; great-grandson, Thomas Hopper; and cousins, Sandra White, Laurie Going, Tom Gordon, and Linda Bundi. She was preceded in death by her husband and a younger sister, Jo Ann Manley. The family would like to thank Bee Hive Homes for the care of Loretta over the past two and a half years, as well as Peace Hospice. Memorials can be made to Peace Hospice, First Presbyterian Church, or an animal shelter of your choice. The celebration of life for Loretta J. Pearce will be Saturday, October 16, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Great Falls. Loretta passed away at Peace Hospice on December 19, 2020, during the COVID pandemic and we are ready to celebrate her life and love. A luncheon will be served following the service in the Fellowship Hall. Masks are required for the service and will be made available.