Obituary of Loretta Baynes

Passed away at the Elizabeth Bruyere Palliative Care Centre in the early hours of October 31, 2023.  Loretta was born September 22, 1930 in Pickerel, Ontario to Rose (Gervais) and Peter Newton, and was raised in Northern Ontario with her six brothers and sisters.  She received her RNA training at Ryerson Nursing School in Toronto, later marrying RCAF corporal Ronald Baynes in 1953.  Ron and Laurie were stationed at several Air Force bases in Canada until he left the service in 1959.   Ron went on to have a successful career in speech writing and public relations while Loretta stayed home and raised their three children, Deborah, Sandra and Stephen.   In 1974, Loretta returned to nursing where she specialized in Geriatric care until her retirement in 1997.  

In their later years, she and Ron enjoyed traveling and had memorable holidays in Hawaii, Italy, Switzerland and the Caribbean, as well as happy times at their chalet in Mont Tremblant, Quebec.  When Ron’s health failed in the final years of his life, Loretta was his loving and steadfast caregiver.  A hardworking and loving wife, mother and grandmother, her family always came first.  She was extremely fond of her pets and had an abiding compassion for all animals.   Loretta is predeceased by her beloved son Stephen and Ron, who both passed away in 2022.  She was the last surviving sibling of her family. 

Loretta is survived by her daughters, Deborah and Sandra (Shaffer), her granddaughter Alexandra, and several nieces and nephews.   A private inurnment ceremony took place in November of 2023 at Pinecrest Cemetery.  Donations in Loretta’s memory may be directed to her favorite charity, the Ottawa Humane Society.