Loretta Ann Altieri, 86, of Salem, Oregon, passed away July 12, 2020.  She was interred on July 21, 2020, in the United States Navy Veteran Garden of Valor Columbarium alongside her late husband, Alex Altieri, at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona Del Mar, California.  Loretta was born in Rochester, New York, on June 1, 1934, to Frank Neuland and Ottilia Lorey.  She was a high school graduate who worked as a PBX operator in Rochester before moving to Long Beach, California, as a newlywed bride to Stewart Clay.  She worked many years as a PBX operator at Hunt Wesson Foods and as a front office receptionist at Glass Containers Corporation in Fullerton.  Later, she worked at Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) as a bus driver where she won several awards and commendations.  She was one of two drivers selected to drive President George Bush's Secret Service detail on his visit to the Orange Sheriff's Department Rancho del Rio facility on April 26, 1989.  This required additional off-road driver's training due to the remote location of Rancho del Rio.  In 1991 Loretta was featured in a Los Angeles Times story about her dedication to helping the homeless by giving them bus rides and sometimes bringing them to her home for food and shelter.  She also worked as a volunteer at the Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Program, in Orange County, California, where she was honored for her volunteer work.  Loretta retired from OCTA in 1995 after 13 years of service.

Loretta was a very positive and outgoing person who loved Elvis Presley, dancing, and parties.  She was not shy in demonstrating her enthusiasm.  Once, when she was walking in public with her children, it started to rain.  She immediately started dancing like Gene Kelly while loudly singing "Singing in the Rain."   This was somewhat embarrassing to her children (or at least to this writer), but Loretta reveled in the attention.  As she got older people would greet her and ask how she was doing.  Her standard reply, with a wide smile, was "I feel like a million bucks - all green and wrinkled."  She was a very devoted Christian who loved Jesus and studied her bible.  She was raised as a Catholic, but later became "born again" and accepted Jesus as her personal savior.  She most recently attended Mission Viejo Christian Church before moving to Salem, Oregon, in 2018.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Eleanor Force, and brothers, Frank Neuland and Gerald Neuland. She is survived by her children, Michael Clay of Mission Viejo, California, Linda Koller of Turner, Oregon, Donna Bodkin of Salem, Oregon, Debra Newkirk of Santee, California, Michelle Bennett of Vista, California, and David Stamper, of Vista, California, and a brother, John Neuland, as well as several nieces, a nephew, ten grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.  Memories and condolences may be left on this website.