Loretta May VanderVeen (née Bua) was born March 23, 1939 in Oakland, California to first generation Italian Americans, Frank and Rose Bua. She was raised in Albany with her brothers Robert and Russell.

Loretta graduated from Albany High School in 1957 and became a Visiting Nurse shortly thereafter.  Loretta married Carl VanderVeen from Berkeley, California in 1960. They had five children. Loretta continued to work in nursing for many years.

In 1981, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Health Services Administration, and then in 1986, she earned her Master of Business Administration in Health Services Management.  She advanced to manager of Utilization Review and Quality Assurance for Providence and Summit Hospitals in Oakland for many years.  In 1996, Lorrie was appointed by the U.S. Department of Commerce to serve on the prestigious Malcom Baldridge Board of Examiners.  All the while she kept her nursing license active through the early 2000s.  She extended her career in hospital management at Mount Diablo and Highland Hospitals until she retired in 2009.

Loretta was extremely active throughout her entire life.  She was an avid dancer, performing right up until only a few months ago.  Yoga, Pilates, book clubs, Broadway Song and Dance, and Barre classes were just a few of her other regular activities. Her lifelong love of gardening led her to attain a Master Gardener certification in 2020, with her home garden slated to be showcased in the local garden tour this year. She volunteered for the USO, as well as other charitable organizations; she was a member of the FBI Community Outreach program[classified]; she traveled extensively; and she was a passionate supporter of all the activities and endeavors of her children and grandchildren. She was well known for her huge heart, unending energy and her willingness to help whoever needed it.

She passed away peacefully at her home in Piedmont, California on Sunday May 3, 2026, surrounded by family, nearly 22 years to the day after her husband Carl had passed.

Loretta is survived by her children Melinda, Gina, Glen, Eric and Susie; their spouses, Bob Bawolski, Daniel Cullen, Becky VanderVeen, Karen VanderVeen and Rich Campbell; her grandchildren David Bawolski, Jack and Madeline Cullen, Connor, Lucas and Elena VanderVeen; Emile, and Cecilia VanderVeen and Patrick and Andrew Campbell; her brother Robert and niece Shanna Bua. She is predeceased by her beloved grandson Carl Lawrence VanderVeen, her husband Carl, parents Rose and Frank Bua, brother Russell and nephew Tony Bua.

Donations may be made in her name to:
Blood Cancer United: https://bloodcancerunited.org/Fine Art Museums of San Francisco, FAMSF Museum Fund

Services will be held May 19 th at the Sunset View Mortuary, 101 Colusa Ave, El Cerrito.
Viewing: 9:30-11:30 am and Memorial Service: 11:30 am. Reception following at Berkeley Country Club 7901 Cutting Blvd, El Cerrito until 4:00 pm.

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