It is with great sadness that the family of Loretta Wahl, a resident of Fairport, NY, announce her passing on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at the age of 103. She quietly took her last breath in the loving presence of family. Loretta (Lorie) was born on June 23, 1922 to Loraine and Raymond Saxe. She was raised by a single mother of three after the death of her father at 3 years of age. Lorie was very close to her sister Clara and brother Ray and shared their many wonderful childhood experiences, particularly of visiting the family farm in Greece, New York. Lorie also learned the discipline of helping her mother with boarders to support her family during the challenging years of the Great Depression. Those early life experiences would mold her into the strong, dynamic, resourceful and loving woman she would become.
Lorie grew up in the Swillburg neighborhood of Rochester, New York. She attended St. Boniface for grammer school and Stella Niagara in Lewiston, New York for high school. After graduation she would attend Rochester Business Institute and later work at the War Department.
Lorie would meet Joseph Wahl in 1946 and marry in 1947. When Joe passed in 2001 , they were married for 54 years. She would raise five children in Irondequoit, New York where she became close friends with her neighbors. She would work in the evenings at Mushroom Trucking to assist in supporting her family for a number of years. Lorie was an active member at St. Ambrose parish where she supported, through fundraising and direct financial support, the building of a new church and school. Lorie always was proud of her work as a Board of Election supervisor in Irondequoit and greatly enjoyed working the elections.
In her mid 40’s, Lorie returned to college where she would attend MCC, SUNY Brockport and Nazareth University earning at Masters in Education. For much of her college years she would take a bus to attend classes. Her career as an English teacher began at St. James grammer school where she would develop lifelong friendships with Sister Edwardine Weaver and Goldie Rogers. She briefly taught at St. Ambrose before joining the Rochester City School District teaching English to refugees of wars and immigrants. She would earn Teacher of the Year recognition in 1992 before retiring.
Lorie loved to travel! She would travel to Greece three times through an Greek Literature class at SUNY Brockport and had wonderful experiences and made new friends. She traveled to the Panama Canal, the Dominican Republic and Italy with family and friends. She would also travel to Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Utah and California. Lorie traveled to Kenya to attend her son Michael’s wedding to Margaret. It was a wonderful experience meeting family and experiencing the beauty of Africa. She spent many winters in New Smyrna Beach Florida where she developed a love for playing bridge and as always, making many new friends.
Lorie loved to swim and began lap swimming at the YMCA and later in Penfield doing water aerobics until she was 101.
Loretta was a wonderful wife, devoted mother and loyal friend. Her presence in our lives will leave a void but our memories are full.
Loretta is predeceased by her parents Raymond and Loraine Saxe, husband Joseph Wahl, brother John Saxe, sister Clara Pasto and Brother in law Donald Pasto. She is survived by her loving children Michael (Margaret) Wahl, David (Alice) Wahl, Patricia Gerew, Richard (Anita) Wahl and Raymond (Regina) Wahl, Sister In Law Patricia M. Saxe, 10 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank her care givers Dana Grann and Dominique Martinez for providing loving care to our mother over the last 7 years.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, August 29, 2025 at 11:15 at Church of the Assumption, 20 East Ave., Fairport, NY. There will be a reception in the church gymnasium immediately following the mass where the family will greet guests.
Donations can be made to the Notre Dame Learning Center, 71 Parkway, Rochester, NY, 14608 and Mercy Bridges, 1437 Blossom Rd., Rochester, NY, 14610 in Loretta’s name. These programs support children and adult literacy. Loretta was a life long learner and supported educational initiatives and causes throughout her life.
6 responses to “Wahl, Loretta”
Mrs. Wahl and I spent a lot of time together over the last 6 years and had many great conversations and nice times together. We always enjoyed those water walking days and rides to get coffee and a snack- then go to the park along the canal. We always had a good day together and I miss our talks – she taught me so much. I will miss her.
Mrs. Wahl (Loretta) was a great example of a strong, beautiful woman. I admired her grit! My favorite story was of Loretta’s 100th birthday party. She met everyone with grace, sang along to Happy Birthday, cut her cake and said “you don’t have to leave but I’m going home”.
She was truly blessed with loving, devoted children.
I’ll miss stories of her.
Love, Marsha
I am so sorry to hear of Loretta’s passing. She was such a dynamic and gracious woman. I greatly admired her for her determination to further her education to help others learn. You are all so lucky to have had her love and good humor for so many years. I always enjoyed our conversations and notes. I’ll never forget her. Love, Nettie
So sorry to hear. Mrs Wahl was a wonderful member of the family. She will be dearly missed.Love. Terry (Sleyman) Little
Loretta – really Aunt Loretta as we referred to her the many years we lived in Rochester , as my Dad was an only child , she marvelously filled in the gap as Auntie !
Despite her busy family life , she she showed up to support all the important events in the Sleyman family . Conversations with her were laced with a serene affirmation , and the most devoted listening ear. She made you feel that you were the most important person in the world that ever drew breathe as we chatted. I She radiated intelligence and really rallied with jubilant encouragement if you shared an accomplishment .in your life with her. Yes , she was an extraordinary teacher, and was the inspiration for me to further my nursing career in teaching student nurses . I will miss her calm resolve and and never ending flow of kind words the most . Bless you Aunt Loretta !
Lorie, Attracta Flanigan, and I traveled together to Nazareth College as we all studied for our MA degrees. We first met at Bishop Kearney High School. Lorie kept in touch and I am honored that Notre Dame Learning Center is one of Lorie’s charities. Thank you so very much and please call me!!! I am so sorry that I was not in town for Lorie’s funeral.