In Memory
2014
It is with deep sadness that we announce the loss of Loretta A. Barrett, a founding member of RIF and president of Loretta Barrett Books Inc. Loretta served as Secretary of the Board and as a member of the Executive Committee from 2009 to 2013.
Before embarking on her successful publishing career, Loretta taught in a Philadelphia high school where she saw first-hand the need for interesting, high-quality reading materials. When RIF founder Margy McNamara approached Loretta in her position as an editor at Doubleday & Company, Loretta immediately perceived the value of RIF’s mission and leapt at the opportunity to persuade publishers to offer book discounts to RIF.
Loretta brought tremendous passion and drive to the organization for nearly 50 years, always keeping at the forefront the goal of better books for children. Margy McNamara Pastor, daughter of RIF founder Margy McNamara, recalls Loretta as “a woman who enhanced thousands of children’s lives. She was one of those special people that enrich all of us.”
A mass will be held at 10am on Tuesday morning, October 14, at the Church of St. Francis Xavier, 46th West 16th Street, New York, NY and a celebration of her life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, it was Loretta’s wish that memorial gifts be made to Reading Is
Fundamental.
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Loretta Barrett was a great friend to me personally. She was a Board member who was always willing to do “whatever it took.” I remember the last time before she became ill when I called her to help by attending a meeting with me in New York City; she said she would be there before the 10 AM start time. When she walked in with her suitcase, I asked where she was headed after the meeting…she replied she had just returned from the west coast on the red eye…what dedication! We all used to marvel at all Loretta was doing, still skiing strong in Europe in the last three years…and oh, how she was always pushing for better books for children. Children in America who will never know the name Loretta Barrett reaped benefits from her, we shall miss her.
I work for a school called KCAA (Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy), in Denver Colorado. I have been the RIF cordinator for the past 4 years. I will do my best to mention her name to the staff/children of KCAA that receive RIF books for k-5th grades on Nov.20th -21st. I am so very thankful for the RIF program for this 92 % low income school. Reading a real book will never replace an ipad to me but I understand that book reading in the future will need to go more electronic to help save trees!
What an honor to Loretta that you will mention this wonderful lady to the RIF program there. Thank you!