Our Mother/Grandmother/Aunt/Friend, Loretta Jean Breazeale, 84, passed away suddenly of heart failure at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, WA. She lived a long and happy life filled with family, friends, and animals of all kinds. The day before her death, she speculated about whether she would be able to play withher dogs again in heaven someday. We have no doubt they are having a joyful reunion!
Ms. Breazeale was a native of Modesto, CA where she lived the first 71 years of her life. She and her husband of 47 years owned and ran a small dairy farm off of California Avenue. The property was gradually transitioned to crops, including grapes for Gallo Wineries.
Growing up, Loretta’s passion was horses. She delighted in raising, riding, and showing various breeds. In 1967, Loretta proudly won the Blue Ribbon at the National Morgan Horse Show. She was a member of the Stanislaus County Horsemen’s Association and the Northern California Morgan Horse Association.
Loretta graduated in 1957 from Modesto High School and then attended courses at Modesto Junior College.
She applied her business talents to the retail world where she worked for Weinstock’s/Macy’s starting in the 1970s. She eventually became the Executive Secretary to the store manager because of her strong knowledge of computers and accounting. She then went to work for Flory Industries as an Executive Assistant for the remainder of her career.
Loretta was known for her active involvement in the things she loved - her children and grandchildren, the
49’ers, gardening, collecting Teddy Bears, leadership roles in 4H and FFA, and the dairy associations she was a member of including the Stanislaus County Guernsey Association, the American Guernsey Cattle Club, and the Guernsey Breeders Association.
Ms. Breazeale is survived by her two sons, Robert (Bob) of Bonney Lake, WA and William (Bill) of Modesto, CA; six grandchildren located across the West Coast; and two nephews and one niece - all residents of Modesto. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Robert Breazeale.
Two Celebration of Life services have been scheduled. The first is on Sept. 14th from 1-3pm at Wesley of Tehaleh in Bonney Lake, WA. This is open to all who knew and loved Loretta. The second is on Sept. 28th from 11:30am-2:00pm at The Fruit Yard in Modesto, CA. A private burial will be held at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, Santa Nella, where Loretta will be interred next to her husband.
Out of respect for her love for animals, remembrances may be made to the Stanislaus County 4-H.