Loretta Virginia Ellard

Loretta Virginia Ellard, lovingly known as “Aunt Cookie” and “Cook” passed away on Sunday, January 7. 2024. She was born February 3, 1940, in St. Louis, Missouri. Daughter to Virginia and Walter McKinney and sister to Mike McKinney.  She married her high school sweetheart, Verlin Ellard on July 27, 1958, at the First Baptist Church in Clayton, New Mexico.  They enjoyed 62 years together before his passing in November 2020.

Loretta moved to Salt Lake City with her parents while Verlin was serving in the military from 1958 to 1960. When he returned to the U.S., they decided to settle in Salt Lake City. They raised 3 children, Jeffrey, Rodney and Stephanie. Loretta was a believer of Jesus Christ as her redeeming Savior and was a member of Canyons Church in Salt Lake City since the early 1980s.

 Loretta worked as secretary multiple times during her life and her last job was with Salt Lake Valley Mental Health from which she retired in 2006, after 17 years of service. 

Loretta and Verlin loved to travel and had the opportunity to visit many of their favorite places like Taos, New Mexico and Jackson, Wyoming.  They made the most of each trip, trying new places to eat and places to stay.  They taught their children that travel should be an adventure and to branch out and try new things and places, to look beyond what was comfortable that could be experienced anywhere. 

Loretta loved friends and family unconditionally. She was the one that remembered birthdays and events. She was known for always sending a card on important dates but also a call or sending a card just because.  As the family reached out to notify friends and family of her passing, it has been the most heard comment. Her cards and calls will be greatly missed by all. 

Loretta loved to read, especially true crime dramas before it was cool. She followed true crime events on televisions via the news, 20/20, etc. Her love of reading is something both Rodney and Stephanie share. Loretta kept list of books that she wanted to read and things that she wanted to watch.  

She is survived by her children Jeffrey Ellard, Rodney Ellard, and Stephanie (Preston) Lockwood, brother Michael McKinney, sister-in-law Lois Ellard, sister-in-law Ora Marie Hanes, and Nieces, Nephews, and their families. Loretta is preceded in death by her husband and her parents. She will be interred at the Utah Veterans Memorial Cemetery with Verlin. Services will be 11 am on May 3, 2024, at the Chapel at Utah Veterans Memorial Cemetery.