Cleo Margaret Lorette, February 24, 1922 — January 22, 2019

Cleo’s Obituary Cleo Margaret Lorette, 96, passed peacefully away on January 22, 2019, to join her husband, Ray, who predeceased her in 2003. Cleo was born on February 24, 1922 to Lena Moran, and John Wiley Evans in Tahona, Oklahoma. She was the eldest daughter of 9 children.

She spent much time taking care of her siblings, with 2 sets of twins. Cleo and Ray were married in Phoenix, AZ on January 16, 1942, and were happily married for 62 years. During WWII Cleo worked as a Rosie The Riveter for Douglas Aircraft.

She also worked for the war department in Presque Isle, Maine. After the war they helped to homestead Litchfield, AZ and became members of the Adaman farmers, raising cattle, cotton and citrus. She worked for Thunderbird Graduate School for 10 years.

Cleo earned her B.S. degree in Journalism from ASU in 1997. She taught creative writing classes, wrote freelance articles for magazines and co-authored a book, “The Purgatory Trail”. Cleo and Ray were also lifetime members of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Posse.

Cleo and her husband Ray had three children, Michael Ray Lorette (Betty), Renee Suzanne Lorette (Bill), and Sheri Lorette Brown (Terry). She has 8 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson. She was a great mother, friend and writer.

She will be greatly missed. Private family services will be held at a later date.

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