Loretta M. McCormick, 88, of Bavaria, KS, passed away on Friday, May 31, 2024, at Minneapolis Health and Rehabilitation in Minneapolis, KS. She received wonderful care during her final weeks in Minneapolis along with Interim Hospice of Salina.
Loretta, “Lori”, was born September 11, 1935, in Leechburg, PA. Daughter of August & Theresa (Vota) Vigna. From her first marriage to Richard L. Cockroft, Sr. was born 3 children: Son; Richard Cockroft Jr. of Bavaria, his wife Laura Hopkins-Cockroft along with Granddaughter Ashley Strange and Great Granddaughter Lily Strange of Salina. Son; Larry Cockroft. Daughter; Sandra (Cockroft) Choitz of Ellsworth, her husband Dean along with Grandchildren; Blair Choitz Helvey (Joseph), Ethan Choitz of Concordia along with wife Amanda and Great grandchildren Cayden, Reagyn and Rhett.
Lori’s first marriage to Richard Sr. resulted in many military moves from Pennsylvania to Germany to Ft. Carson, CO., to Schilling Air Force Base Salina, (home of the waiting wives), all while Richard Sr. was deployed to Vietnam to Ft. Belvoir, VA & to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. Lori and her children ended military travel and chose to make Salina their home. She worked various jobs but was most proud of her years at Beechcraft. During this time, she met and married George McCormick which resulted in almost 40 years as a farmer/rancher wife in Bavaria. The last two years she made Eaglecrest Senior Living of Salina her home.
Preceding her in death were her Parents; Brother, Bob Vigna; Husband, George; Son, Larry; and Granddaughter, Blair.
Lori is not only survived by her Kansas family but all the extended family & friends from her Pennsylvania roots. This includes Jane Bures-Hunt, Pat Verbena, Delores “Dee” Gagetta, Christine Vigna and all of her Leechburg school classmates that kept in touch all through the years. Pennsylvania was always a home that meant a great deal to her.
All who knew Lori understood her respect for those that served in the military along with their families, and all the work that Farmers endured, the love of animals, purple for K-State and most of all her Pittsburgh Steelers.
Lori’s wishes were to have a private burial and any Memorials be made to the Bavaria Community Cemetery, care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. 8th in Salina, KS 67401.