Ms. Loretta Hart

Loretta Hart was the fourth of six children born to the late Hutchison Hart Sr. and Nellie (Ray) Hart, in Irondale, Ohio on April 8, 1938. Loretta departed this life at the age of 84 on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at the George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C. Loretta was the valedictorian of the Irondale High School Class of 1956 and that was just the beginning of her success. After high school, with assistance of her family and a God given gift for serving others, Loretta left Irondale, Ohio for Washington D.C. to attend the Freedmen's Hospital School of Nursing where she met a group of lifelong friends who are as close as sisters to this day. Upon graduating from Freedmen's School of Nursing in 1959 and spending a brief time in California, Loretta began her career as a nurse at D.C. General Hospital. During her 28-year tenure at D.C. General, Loretta spent a major part of her nursing career as Head Nurse and received several awards and recognitions including being honored by the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing as one of one hundred nurses selected each year. For many years after retiring from D.C. General in 1993, Loretta continued her work serving others by working at Helping Hands Inc. She was driven by a passion to help others. Loretta became a follower of Christ in her early years. She joined Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in 2005. She was an active member of the Golden Circle ministry. Although the pandemic has prevented in person fellowship for over two years, Loretta has maintained her close-knit relationships with fellow church members. Loretta was a deeply loved and respected sister, aunt, friend, and co-worker. Those who knew her will remember Loretta for her intellect, humility, kindness, authenticity, and her ability to do so many things exceptionally well. In addition to being an extraordinary nurse, she could sew, cook, and bake like she was professionally trained. But perhaps significantly, those who knew Loretta will remember her for her giving nature. Loretta asked little of others yet gave generously and selflessly of herself - giving genuinely from the heart to her staff, family, and friends. When her younger sister, Beverly, needed a wedding dress, Loretta made her one. When her friends, nephews, or nieces needed a cake for their wedding, she would create the most beautiful and creative wedding cake free of charge and full of love. Being the giving person that she was, Loretta naturally loved Christmas. She always had 5 Christmas trees in her house including one that she would hang from her ceiling. Loretta's home was "the place to be" every year, every Christmas, because of the loving, caring, and giving person that she was. Loretta's vivacious and giving spirit will be missed by many. Loretta was preceded in death by her life companion, Van Richardson; her brothers, Hutchinson Jr. and Herbert Hart; and her sisters, Yvonne Jackson and Beverly Jones. Loretta is survived and missed by her sister, Marian Duhart (Plainfield, NJ), brothers-in-law, Richard Jackson (Gambrills, MD) and Thomas Jones (Silver Spring, MD), and many much-loved nieces, nephews, godchildren, and friends. Her spirit will dwell forever in our lives. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Freedman's Hospital Nurses Alumni Scholarship Fund 2600 33rd St, SE. Washington , DC 20020 Live Streaming Link and Password for access : https://vimeo.com/event/2343704 Password is 9832.

Ms. Loretta Hart

April 8, 1938 - August 2, 2022