Loretta D. McCan's Obituary
Loretta Divonia McCan, “Mama Retta”, of San Leandro, California, was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on September 19, 1934. With her family, she moved to Oakland, California.
She graduated from McClymonds High School in Oakland. Always wanting to improve her skills for employment, she continued her education in Sacramento, California, where she lived and worked for the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Loretta advanced in her career with the State of California for 32 years, working tirelessly. By the end of her career, as a public servant, she had promoted to the professional level in state service and retired as a Deputy Labor Commissioner for the California Department of Industrial Relations. As a Deputy Labor Commissioner, she received many awards for her outstanding work performance. Loretta was recognized in the San Francisco Examiner and the Oakland Tribune, for representing and collecting wages for those who had been unfairly treated by their employers.
Loretta had a hunger for reading, sometimes reading one book a day. Her love was mystery books, especially those written by British authors. Upon retiring, she enjoyed swimming, taking art and Spanish classes, and making numerous shopping trips to Borders and Barnes and Noble bookstores. She also was able to spend more time with her beloved girl, her dog Brandi. Loretta had a heart for giving and graciously offered solutions to those who sought her advice and support.
Loretta’s greatest accomplishment was when she became assured of her salvation; being confident that she would enter paradise and meet Jesus and be reunited with her loved ones.
Mama Retta is survived by her daughters Michele Byers, Linner Moore; grandchildren Lorne Williams, Matthew Byers; brothers William McCan, Townsend McCan; sister Genolia McCan; son-in-law Aaron Moore; sisters-in-law Ruby and Charlyne; as well as nieces, nephews, other family, and friends. Loretta is preceded in death by her father and mother, Alonzo and Leona McCan; sister Eugenia Mendez; son-in-law William Byers.
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