Loretta Baron Darrow

On Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, Loretta Darrow of Evergreen passed away peacefully at the Life Care Center of Evergreen, CO after a short struggle with serious health problems. Loretta was born on June 4, 1930 in Lincoln Park, Michigan. She was the youngest of four children born to Robert Navarre Baron and Catherine Imogene Nafus. She married the love of her life, John Oliver Gallup Darrow of Oxford, MD, on Aug. 1, 1949. They met at University of Michigan where she was a freshman in Education and John was finishing his degree in Engineering. After they married, Loretta and John lived in Baltimore, MD for John’s work. Then they settled near Detroit MI, where three of their children were born: John O. G. Darrow Jr., Catherine V. Darrow, and Dorothy S, Darrow. A fourth child, Elizabeth A. Darrow, was born after John's job transfer to Galion Ohio. John’s career also took the family to Livonia, NY and finally to Murrysville, PA. After all her children had become adults, Loretta completed a medical assistant degree while living in the Pittsburgh PA area, and was a home health care nurse there. Loretta always tried to find the good in everything, even when things were not going well. Her warm and kind spirit drew people to her, and she was always surrounded by loving friends and family. She enjoyed classical music and opera, art, literature, and nature, especially animals. She loved to cook and invite others to share family meals. Christmas gave her a chance to make several varieties of cookies and delicious (honestly!) fruitcake. A trip to France with Kit and Dorothy was a highlight of her later years in the Pittsburgh area. For several years after John passed away, Loretta lived near his family in Oxford, MD. Then in 2011 she moved to Evergreen to live near her daughter, Kit, and son-in-law, Will. She quickly came to love Colorado, and especially enjoyed drives into the high country in the fall. She became an avid Denver Broncos fan and was eager to share her opinions on the players and the team. Friends of Kit and Will’s quickly became friends of Loretta’s. She traveled to Seattle to visit Dorothy and David and enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. After a stroke and related health problems, she moved to an assisted living facility in Lakewood in 2015, where she enjoyed activities and friendships with other residents. During that time, she wrote and self-published a work of fiction with the help of her daughters, Kit and Dorothy. Loretta was preceded in death by her parents and siblings; her husband, John Darrow; her son, John Darrow Jr.; and her daughter, Elizabeth A. Darrow. She is survived by her daughters and their husbands; Catherine (Kit) Darrow and Will Chester of Evergreen; Dorothy Darrow and David Darrow of Seattle, WA; and her grandson, Derek J. Darrow of Andover, MA, plus several nieces and nephews. Loretta’s presence in the world left it a better place when she passed away, having touched many people with her generous spirit. She will remain in the hearts of all who knew her. A memorial service will be held on April 12, 2024 at 11 AM at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Oxford, MD. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in horror of Loretta to: Mt. Evans Home Health Care & Hospice (mtevans.org)

Loretta Baron Darrow

June 4, 1930 - October 24, 2023