Obituary of Loretta M Steinkopf

Loretta Steinkopf passed away peacefully at home on December 22, 2023, surrounded by family members. She celebrated her 93rd birthday the day before.

Born in Raritan, NJ, to parents Rocco and Mary Sibilia, Loretta attended and graduated from Somerville High School. She went to work at F. W. Woolworth in New York City as a mechanical calculator. She met her husband, Frederick Steinkopf, at a squared dance in Meyersville and married shortly after on January 25, 1952. Fred and Loretta moved to Bernardsville to the house where she lived for the remainder of her life.

When Fred died unexpectedly in 1973, Loretta became the head of the household and a single parent to five active kids, aged 5 through 15. She learned to drive out of necessity. And her children were treated to delicious home cooked meals every day. Her signature dish was her homemade manicotti. What family and friends looked forward to most were her anisette cookies and cream puffs.

Loretta was also blessed with five grandchildren and played an active role in each of their lives. She was Grammy to them as well as countless friends and children in her neighborhood.

Loretta was devoted to her Catholic faith and Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Bernardsville. She shared her amazing operatic voice as a member of the Sunday choir, renowned for her rendition of Ava Maria and Oh Holy Night. She graciously volunteered her time to support the Ozanam Homeless Shelter for Women and the Joachin & Ann Society.

Loretta is survived by her sister Betty Fredericks, sons Robert (Sandla), William, Randy (Kelli), daughter Patricia, and daughter-in-law, Sue Caputo-Steinkopf; grandchildren Robert Jr (Kimberly), Jeffery Petrone, Kayla (Jadarius), Erica Petrone, and Lauren; and great grandson, Milo. She is predeceased by her husband, Frederick, son Frederick, sisters Agnes and Julie, and brothers Nicolas, Angelo, James, and Peter.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 2, 2024 from 4-7pm at Gallaway & Crane Funeral Home, 101 South Finley Ave., Basking Ridge.  Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 10am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 111 Claremont Road, Bernardsville. In lieu of flowers, donations in Loretta’s memory may be made to the Bernardsville Fire Company, PO Box 745, Bernardsville, NJ 07924. For further information, or to leave an online condolence please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com