Obituary of Loretta A. Cartin

C A R T I N Loretta A. (nee Otto) on January 25, 2021. Wife of the late James FX Cartin. Loving Mom of Loretta F. Cartin, Joseph Cartin, Bernadette Cartin, Paul Cartin, Frank Cartin, Thomas Cartin, the late Mary Cartin Rooney (Christopher) and the late James FX Jr. Nana of James X., Luke, Aria and Lincoln. Sister of John F. Otto Jr. (Marybeth). Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing Wednesday February 3rd 9:30 AM at St. Christopher Church 13301 Proctor Rd. Phila., PA 19116. Funeral Mass 11:00 AM. Interment Our Lady of Grace Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to Poor Clares of the Franciscan Monastery of Saint Clare 1271 Newtown Langhorne Rd. Langhorne, PA 19047 or to St. Francis Inn 2441 Kensington Ave. Phila., PA 19125 would be appreciated by her family. Loretta A. Cartin, nee Otto, was born on December 19, 1934, and entered eternal Life on January 25, 2021. Loretta was a lifelong resident of Philadelphia. She grew up in Mayfair, frequently exploring Pennypack Park both on foot and on horseback, often renting horses from one of the several riding stables in the area. She had many fond memories of summers spent at her parents' property in Shore Acres in New Jersey, exploring the woods there and swimming and snorkeling with her brother Jack in Shark River and elsewhere. Although she lived mere blocks from St. Hubert High School, she earned a full scholarship to Gwynedd Mercy Academy so made the daily trek there for her high school education. She participated in activities including playing on the field hockey team and editing the school newspaper. Almost immediately after her graduation from high school, she answered the call for teachers needed at the fledgling St. Christopher School, which was just opening in Somerton. She was the first (and at the beginning only) lay teacher at the school. During her four-year tenure she taught under challenging circumstances, including teaching a split first-second grade class, and having 108 students one year. After teaching, she took a job as a receptionist at a company that made wool cloth for high-quality suits. The head weaver had told her that any time a weaver came looking for work she should "Send him directly to me." The company had a policy of never hiring blacks, but she defied policy and turned heads in the office when a black weaver came looking for work and she took him through the office and "directly to" the head weaver. She met her future husband, James, at a dance for Catholic singles in New Jersey. They were married on November 21, 1959. Although she had taken some college courses with an interest in pursuing a career in journalism, once married her career became that of wife and homemaker. She instilled in her children her interests in animals, music, gardening and politics. The house was always full of pets, plants, books, and music. She also encouraged and supported her children in their varied interests. Through the years her door was always open to a series of people who, for whatever reason, needed a place to rest their heads or put themselves back together. Likewise she could never say no when someone knocked on the door needing a home for an animal. She was deeply committed to her religious faith, and was drawn to the Third Order Secular Franciscans. She was professed in May 1991, a highlight of her life. She also was on the honor guard at the Katharine Drexel Shrine, and was privileged to attend her canonization on October 1, 2000. She was a Eucharistic Minister at St. Christopher’s and was a longtime member and advocate for the Eucharistic Adoration Society. She was an avid fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, Star Wars, Beethoven, Rex Allen, any form of dance, and the Mummers. She was a person who always tried to do the right thing, especially when it came to helping others, not for acknowledgment or gain, but because it was right. She always tried to see the best in anyone she met, even people the rest of us might write off as not salvageable. She was always thinking of other people and what would make them happy, and if it was in her power to do so, she would make it happen. Loretta's Funeral Mass will be livestreamed on Malloy Funeral Home Facebook page at 11:00 AM.