PIttsburgh, PA – A Time to Be BornLoretta Waddell was born May 25, 1936, to the late Clarence and Isadore Rayzer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

A Time to EmbraceLoretta attended Pittsburgh Public Schools, including Bellefield Girls Vocational High School. She graduated in 1954, where she studied dressmaking. Although she did not use her sewing skills professionally at first, those skills would become an important part of her life later on.

Loretta worked at Nabisco for 20 years. Due to glaucoma and the loss of her eyesight, she retired early. She later attended the Guild for the Blind in Bridgeville, where she gained skills that helped her adjust to her visual impairment and maintain her independence. She went on to work at the Pittsburgh Blind Association, where she became a seamstress and continued working until her retirement.

Loretta was a devoted Christian, and her belief in God guided the way she lived, loved, and cared for others. She was a faithful member of New Jerusalem Holiness Church for 70 years. During those years, she served in the ministry, sang in the Helping Hands Choir, led Friends and Family Day, served as a dedicated missionary, and was a member of the Pastor’s Aide. Her faith was not simply something she spoke about; it was reflected in the way she lived her life and cared for the people around her.

A Time to Love                                                                                                                                                                             Loretta was united in marriage to Roland Waddell. To this union two children were born, Deborah and Jeffery. She embraced motherhood with love and devotion, and her family remained one of the greatest joys of her life. She took special pride in her grandchildren and made a point of exposing them to new experiences. From trips to the Carnegie Library, plays, and the Science Center to other Pittsburgh landmarks, Loretta encouraged them to learn, explore, and discover their interests. Family gatherings, holidays, travel, traditions, and storytelling created memories that will continue across generations.

Her family will also remember her leading them in prayer at gatherings. Those moments reflected the faith and love that remained at the center of the family she helped build.

A Time to Rest

On September 18, 2026, Loretta completed her earthly journey and entered into eternal rest. Her life was rooted in faith, perseverance, service, and love for others. Her family is grateful for the many years, lessons, and memories she shared, and the example she set will continue through the generations that follow her.

Loretta is survived by her children, Deborah (Albert) and Jeffery (Kimberly); grandchildren, Bedford (Christina), Miea, Kiara, Roland, Jeffery, Justin, Tiffany, Gus, Ashley, and Charles; great-grandchildren, Zhane (Patrick), Kashawn (Justin), Maliea, Loyalty, Kiara, Jada, Jordan, Nasir, Natalie, Melissa; great-great-grandchildren, Patrick, Payton, and Raven; her sibling, Peggy; along with extended family, Aaron (Tameka), AJ, Maria, Shakira, and many other loved ones.

She was preceded in death by Roland Waddell; Clarence and Isadore Rayzer; and her siblings, Clarence Jr., Bertha Anne, Isadora, Dorothy, Irene, Oliver, Samuel, David, and Melvin.

Though her family will miss her deeply, they take comfort in the faith that sustained Loretta throughout her life and in the belief that she is now at peace in the presence of God.

Friends received Thursday, September 24, 4 p.m.- 8 p.m., at ROSE FUNERAL HOME CREMATIONS SERVICES 10940 Frankstown Rd., Pittsburgh PA 15235. Services will be held Friday, at 11 a.m., at New Jerusalem Holiness Church, 111 Auburn St., Pittsburgh, PA 15206.