Loretta Fleurette (Logsdon) Britton

On January 18, surrounded by music and love, Loretta Britton took her final breaths in her home of 50 years. Loretta Fleurette (Logsdon) Britton was born on May 2, 1930, in the waiting room of the Columbus Hospital to Julia and Cecil Logsdon. Loretta and her younger sister, Laverne, were raised in Great Falls by their mother; the three were embraced by a large extended family with whom they shared their happy formative years. Julia later married Ralph McVey, and sister Estelle and brother Joel completed their family of six. She attended elementary school at Whittier and McKinley (where she was a champion “Jacks” player), Paris Gibson Junior High, and Great Falls High School, where she was a proud member of the class of 1948. Go, Bison! Following high school, Loretta did clerical work at the Montana Flour Mill, and she had a lively social life dancing, bowling, and traveling. In 1957 while cruising Central Avenue with a chum, she discovered that a certain handsome guy was home on leave from the Army. After an 11-month, long-distance courtship, Loretta married Gerald (Jerry) Britton (GFHS ’49) in Akron, Ohio, and their married adventure began. They went on a Niagara Falls honeymoon and settled near New York City. Daughter Patricia and son Jim were born in New Rochelle, New York. Jerry’s career took the family to Minneapolis, where daughter Beth Ann was born. Cross-country trips to Great Falls were part of their summer family adventures until the Brittons moved back to their hometown to be closer to family. Loretta loved being a mom more than anything and became involved in any activities that supported her kids. She served as president of the PTA, cheered at Little League games, attended every school choir or orchestra concert or school play, and became a surrogate mom to an entire company of Summer Showcase actors. Her mothering extended to two Golden Retriever children, Mika and Hamlet, who came into her life after years of her swearing “the only good pet is a stuffed pet.” Cherished friendships from all phases of her life were carried close to her heart, including those made during her years working at the J. C. Penney catalog desk. Loretta knew hundreds of songs from vaudeville to movie musicals to Broadway shows, and she was constantly singing or humming. She often did her housework to Sousa marches or Strauss waltzes. Family sing-alongs included enthusiastic renditions of songs from every branch of the military. She always looked forward to summer band concerts in Gibson Park. Loretta and Jerry embarked on empty-nest travels to Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and all over the U.S. Cruising on a narrowboat on the canals of Central England with all three adult children was a memory Loretta cherished. Despite the loss of her husband in 2009, failing eyesight and health, and her beloved son’s death in 2020, her general optimism buoyed her and everyone around her. She recently told her daughters, “I have been very lucky. There is a lot in this world to be thankful for.” Loretta was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Gerald Britton; son James Harry; and sisters Laverne Lindsay and Estelle Bartlett. She is survived by daughters Patricia Britton (Stellman Keehnel) of Seattle, and Beth Britton of Great Falls; daughter-in-law Margie Seccomb; and granddaughter Claire Britton, both of Butte; brother Joel McVey of Newark, Calif.; along with many dear nieces and nephews. Loretta’s daughters are deeply grateful to cousins Albert Reeves and David and Ruthie Reeves, who helped make Loretta’s life so much better in her last years. She loved them dearly. Gratitude also goes to Kim and the staff of Peace Hospice, Rose and Janel, Julie and her staff at A La Care, and the two Aprils — they all played a role in keeping Mom comfortable, safe, and happy. A party will be held in the summer of 2022 when friends and family can gather to celebrate Loretta. Remembrances are suggested to the Great Falls Education Foundation or the Great Falls Municipal Band. Condolences for the family may be shared online at www.SchniderFuneralHome.com.