Ashtabula, Ohio - Loretta Pearl Colby, age 89, passed away on May 25, 2026, peacefully at Jefferson Healthcare in Jefferson, Ohio.

She was born November 19, 1936, in Linesville, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Anson and Katherine (Moschell) Sowry. She graduated from Kingsville High School in 1954 and went on to attend St. Lukes School of Nursing in Cleveland, Ohio, graduating in 1957. She was one of the first registered nurses hired to Ashtabula General Hospital in 1957 where she continued to work until her retirement in 1998.

Loretta enjoyed sewing, crocheting and working word puzzles. She especially cherished spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Loretta was a member of the Jefferson Methodist Church, Jefferson, Ohio.

She is survived by a son, Tim (Rose) Colby; 2 daughters, Joanne (Columbus) Farmer and Janice (Mark) Luoma; five grandchildren, Daniel (Andrea) Luoma, Christina (Joe) Edison, Mark (Karen) Farmer, Mike Farmer and Bruce (Nicole) Colby; 8 great-grandchildren, Ava and Carson Luoma, Ayden and Jaxson Edison, Hudson Colby, Denise, Mark and Christopher Farmer and several great great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 50 years, James Colby whom she married October 4, 1958; 5 brothers, her twin Lorren, Judson, Cress, Anson and Stanley Sowry; 2 sisters, Betty Monnin and Janet Sowry.

Calling hours will be Friday, May 29th, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. with the funeral to follow at 11:00 a.m. at Lake Erie Cremation & Funeral Services, 1500 Harpersfield Rd, Geneva, OH 44041. Burial will be at Gageville Cemetery, Ashtabula, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Loretta's name to Saint Jude's.

A special thank you to the staff of Jefferson Healthcare for taking such good care of Loretta, her niece Deanna Howell and to her best friend Roberta.

Lake Erie Cremation & Funeral Services assisted the family with arrangements.

www.LakeErieCrematory.com