Loretta A. (Brugaletta) Pastor passed on April 21, 2026, at the age of 83. 

Born and raised in Paterson, N.J., Loretta (known to her family as Dee and DiDi), met her husband, Theodore A. Pastor (Ted),in April 1958, when he picked her up in his yellow convertible. They fell in love and married on November 17, 1962.  Loretta and Ted raised their family in Wayne, N.J. Their life was filled with love, laughter, family, travel, and golf.  In 1999, Loretta published her poem Partners for Life in Of Memory’s Bliss, The International Library of Poetry, saying of Ted: “Life with you has been a pleasure, no better place to be.  Side by side, hand in hand, for all eternity.”  They were blessed to celebrate their 57th anniversary before his passing.

Loretta was very involved in her community and meeting its needs.  She served in leadership and as President (in 1999) of the Suburban Woman's Club of Pompton Plains, an organization dedicated to enhancing quality of life programs and offeringopportunities to develop member talents.  Loretta won awards for her photography, knitting and crocheting from the Club and the N.J. State Federation of Woman’s Clubs in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 2000.  

An avid golfer, Loretta played in the Pequannock Township Women’s Golf League.  She won first place in its 1994 tournament at Green Pond Golf Club.

In 1999, to enjoy more family-time and golf, Ted sold his business and Loretta retired, having been the office manager to a medical practice for many years.  

Loretta was a strong woman, who put family first. She was an advocate for her children, and when they were having their own children, she and Ted delayed their move to Florida, moving to Basking Ridge, to stay near their grandchildren.

In 2011, Loretta and Ted moved to a golf club in Naples, FL.  There, they enjoyed nearly a decade of golf, theater, and community activities.  On Ted’s passing in 2020, Loretta returned to Basking Ridge, N.J.

Loretta will be missed by all who knew her, including her three children, Sherilyn Pastor Orr and her husband, Kevin Orr (Basking Ridge, N.J.), Deanne Pastor Leyton and her husband, Arnie Leyton (Naples, Fla.) and Theodore A. Pastor Jr. (Shirley, N.Y.); her four grandchildren, Ryan Orr, Kaitlyn Orr, Theodore A. Pastor III and Bianca Pastor; her sisters, Toni DeVuyst and Jackie McDermott; her brother-in-law, Robert McDermott; her niece, Michele R. Vargas, and Michele’s family (Sean Vargas, Mason Vargas and Dave Vargas); and nephew, Cedar Grove Detective Lieutenant Robert McDermott and Robert’s family (Tyler McDermott, Madison McDermott, Jenna McDermott , Nicholas McDermott, and Lisa McDermott ).  

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in her memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to St. Huber’s Animal Welfare Center.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026, from 4:00–7:00 pm at Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, 101 S. Finley Avenue, Basking Ridge, NJ.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, at St. James Catholic Church, 184 S. Finley Ave., Basking Ridge. Burial will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Union Blvd., Totowa, N.J. 07512.