Loretta Jessica Reclam

Loretta Jessica Reclam, 64, of Olympia, WA passed away on May 13, 2021 at Providence St Peter Hospital after a battle with colon cancer.

Born June 22, 1956 in Portsmouth, VA, Loretta was the daughter of the late Richard Carl and Sarah Gilbert Marquardt; stepdaughter of Mary Marquardt. She was a graduate of Sentinel High School in Missoula, Mt and earned a degree in Sociology from the University of Montana. Loretta married Michael "Mischa" Reclam in 1984 in Lexington, VA where he was the head of the Economics Dept at Virginia Military Institute. Mischa passed away in 2000. While living in Virginia, Loretta was a substitute and reading support teacher for the PALS Program in the Lexington School District. For the last 15 years she has been an accountant at the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Surviving Loretta are her daughters, Rachel Claire (son-in-law Ian Li) and Hannah Leigh Reclam, and granddaughter Olivia Arden Li. She is also survived by sisters Suzanne Vinson, Marion Yoshino, Alice Marquardt and Nancy Butz and their families, brothers Carl and James and their families, as well as the family of her late brother Rick.

Loretta's daughters, Rachel and Hannah, were the light of her life. Her ambition was to help them grow into independent, caring women. All who knew her and her daughters know that she absolutely succeeded. Loretta started sewing at the age of nine. As her skills grew she developed a passion for quilting which has resulted in beautiful, treasured quilts for her loved ones. Loretta was loyal to the core and determined to do the best she could in any role. Many wonderful meals were prepared by her and served at her table. She loved her Mariners and during the season, baseball was a hot topic of discussion. She will be sorely missed by all.

In lieu of flowers a fund has been established in Loretta's name to create a book room at Waddell Elementary School in Lexington, VA. Anyone who wishes to contribute can visit https:/gofund.me4433a33 or contact either Rachel or Hannah.

To plant trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Published by Missoulian on May 27, 2021.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/missoulian/name/loretta-reclam-obituary?pid=198814217