Mrs. Loretta A. (Piperata) Purpura

Mrs. Loretta A. (Piperata) Purpura, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at the St. Elizabeth Medical Center with her loving family by her side. Born in Utica, Loretta was the daughter of the late Dominick J. and Laura M. (Pazzola) Piperata. Raised and educated locally, she attended T.R. Proctor High School. On October 19, 1957 at St. Agnes Church, she married George J. Purpura and shared with him a 57 year union of love and understanding. During her working years, Loretta held a position at the former Utica Mutual Insurance Company and subsequently at the General Electric Company. Lastly, she served as Vice-President and Secretary at the family concern, A to Z Auto Sales and concurrently had worked as an Avon representative for over 40 years. After the deaths of her parents and her aunt, Victoria M. Pazzola, Loretta became the matriarch of the family and the guiding light of her loved ones. She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, and friend to everyone. She loved going to the Turning Stone Casino with her sister, Marie Morreale. She took great delight in shopping and was meticulous in her attire, always sporting attractive clothing and beautiful jewelry. She was a member of the Mohawk Motorcades Automobile Club and the Italian Heritage Club of the Mohawk Valley. She was a very avid fan of the NY Yankees and followed the games right along with her brothers and sister. Loretta loved animals and supported the Stevens-Swan Humane Society. She was a parishioner of St. Agnes Church until its closing, and at that time, she became a communicant of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish. Loretta is survived by her husband, George J.; and her daughter, Susan M. Purpura both of North Utica. She will also be remembered by her sister, Marie S. Morreale; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Richard F. “Peppy” and Beverly Piperata, Victor J. and Brenda Piperata, James A. Piperata, Robert A. and Diana M. Piperata, William C., Sr. and Nancy C. Piperata, Paul M. Piperata, and Fred and Nancy J. Piperata; her aunt, Angeline Pazzola; her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, special family friend, Jennifer Candido who she loved as a daughter; and her granddog, LV. She was predeceased by her in-laws, George and Pasqualina (Ciaello) Purpura; her brother-in-law, Russell J. Morreale; her aunt and godmother, Victoria M. Pazzola; and her godmother, Anna Crescente. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 4:00-7:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc, 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Loretta’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Wednesday morning at 10:00 from the funeral home and at 11:00 at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. James Cesta. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery at the convenience of the family.