Loretta (Galus) Wirbilowicz

Loretta A. Wirbilowicz, 90, of Delray Beach, Florida and formerly of Clifton, New Jersey passed away on March 15, 2021. Loretta was predeceased by her husband, Chester, in 1982.

She is survived by her daughter, Karen Gonyer, of Jupiter, Florida; son-in-law, Timothy Gonyer; daughter, Janet Butter, of Short Hills, New Jersey; son-in-law, Gary Butter; son, Stephen Wirbilowicz, of Seattle, Washington, grandson, Matthew Shupler, of Jupiter, Florida; granddaughter, Sara Butter, of Baltimore, Maryland; grandson, Jacob Butter, of Brooklyn, New York; and grandson, Zachary Butter, of Short Hills, New Jersey.

Loretta grew up in Goshen, New York with her parents and many siblings on a family farm. Her parents, Mary and Andrew Galus, were born in Poland and immigrated to the United States in the 1920’s. Several years ago, Loretta had the opportunity to visit her homeland of Poland with her son. On the family farm, Loretta learned how to drive a tractor at the age of 12, and helped the family harvest several vegetables and raise chickens, pigs and roosters. Loretta loved to get her hands dirty in the black dirt. She was married in 1957 in Goshen, New York and moved to Passaic, New Jersey.

When Loretta moved to Florida in 1986, she became actively involved in her local church, Emmanuel Catholic Church, and was a member of the Emmanuel Catholic Church Ladies’ Guild. She was recently retired as a School Aged Child Care counselor at Morikami Park Elementary, where she enjoyed working with elementary school children for over 15 years, since her grandchildren were of the same age. She was very encouraging to the children, assisting them with their assignments and overseeing sporting events, luncheons and fundraising activities. In addition, she served as President of Sabal Pine East condominium home owners association for over 30 years.

A memorial Mass was held at Emmanuel Catholic Church, 15700 S. Military Trail, Delray Beach, FL 33484, on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 5:00 pm. Loretta will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery in Paterson, New Jersey on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 1:00 pm in a family plot (Section 11) next to her husband, Chester Wirbilowicz, and in-laws.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks for donations to be directed towards a stained glass window of Saint John Paul II at Emmanuel Catholic Church to be dedicated in Loretta’s honor. If interested in making a contribution toward this memorial tribute, please send an email to her grandson, Matthew Shupler, at mshupler@gmail.com for further information.