COLUMBUS — Mrs. Loretta Ann Ciferno, 91, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died Friday, September 23, 2022, surrounded by her loving family in Columbus, where she had lived for nearly 30 years.
Loretta was born in Newton Falls on May 21, 1931, the youngest child of Mary Baird Grohosky and Edward S. Grohosky. Educated at Warren St. Mary’s, in 1949 she married her high school sweetheart, Lawrence Albert “Larry” Ciferno at St. MaryChurch, Warren. They were married for 71 years.
Loretta and Larry lived in Warren, raised their nine children, were actively involved in their home church, Christ Our King, where Ms. Ciferno, who possessed a singing, lyrical, soprano voice, served as a leader in liturgical music for many years. . For a time, Loretta also lent her talents to the Warren Civic Chorus and the seasonal production of the “Messiah.” Loretta passed on her love of music to her children by encouraging them to study piano, guitar, clarinet, trumpet or any musical instrument of their choice. Loretta has enjoyed attending live classical and contemporary concerts throughout her life with her husband and children.
Pursuing her dream of studying to become a nurse in her late 40s, Loretta returned to school to first earn a nursing assistant degree and then completed Kent State University’s RN program. Loretta worked for years in an area hospital, in nursing facilities and as a private nurse. Caring for her family and friends has always been at the forefront of her life, Loretta has been a caregiver all her life.
After Mr. Ciferno retired in the late 1990s, the couple moved to Columbus to be closer to several of their children and grandchildren. Loretta resumed her nursing career and worked for a short time in Columbus. Eventually, Loretta retired to devote all of her time to her family.
Loretta enjoyed traveling across the United States, primarily to visit family and friends. Loretta planned and looked forward to trips to the ocean beach and Lake Erie with her children and grandchildren, as well as a trip to Italy with Larry.
Always on the lookout for a healthy path, Loretta loved going for walks and exploring the parks and botanical gardens in the Columbus area with her husband.
Family, always her top priority, occupied much of Loretta’s time, as she enjoyed supporting and attending so many of her children’s and grandchildren’s sports, music, school and extracurricular activities.
Along with many other interests, Loretta was a talented seamstress for her children and grandchildren. Loretta has lovingly gifted her family with hand-sewn treasures throughout their lives.
Mrs. Ciferno was predeceased by her husband of 71 years, Lawrence A. Ciferno; his parents; his sisters, Edna Grohosky, Sister Theresa May Grohosky, SND (formerly Sister Mary St. Cecelia) and Cecelia “Chard” Grohosky; his brother, Lt. Col. Edward Grohosky Sr.; his sister-in-law, Theresa Ciferno; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Salvatore ” Sat “ Ciferno and his wife Helen Ciferno.
Loretta is survived by her nine children: daughters, Marilu Ciferno of Las Vegas, Sheila A. Ciferno of Westerville, Judy (Steve) Dardas of Youngstown, Theresa (Mario) Welcome of Columbus and Lucianne (Matthew) Sauer of Columbus; sons, Lawrence J. Ciferno of Denver, Richard (Diane) Ciferno of Richmond, Virginia, Kevin (Denise) Ciferno of Bradenton, Florida and Brian (Alison) Ciferno of Highland Heights; as well as 21 grandchildren, Christopher (Stephanie) Ciferno, Nicholas (Anna Marie) Ciferno, Alec Ciferno, Caroline Ciferno, Jonathan (Alexandra) Ciferno, David Ciferno, Laura Dankovic, Carolyn (Rob) Zirkel, Andrea (Jason) Ross, Kirsten (Jack) Burchenal, Jared (Hannah) Allen, Ashely (Oscar) Almazan Ciferno, Eric (Hillary) Ciferno, Danielle Welcome, Mitchell Welcome, Nicole Welcome, Rachel Ciferno, Justin Ciferno, Isabella Ciferno, John (Amy) Sauer and Dominic (Tricia) Sauer; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Family and friends can gather and pay their respects to Loretta from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at St. Mary’s Church, 232 Seneca Ave. NE, Warren.
A funeral mass will follow visitation at the church at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Interment will follow Mass at All Souls Cemetery in Bazetta.
Family and friends can visit www.peterrossiandsonfh.com to view this obituary, sign the guestbook and send their condolences to the family.
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