Loretta R Cherasaro

Loretta R. (Macones) Cherasaro, age 86 , from Tampa, FL, passed peacefully at home on December 9th, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on September 1st, 1937, in Paterson, NJ and was the only surviving child of her parents Francis and Loretta (Barradale) Macones. She attended St. Mary’s High School and post-graduation went to X-Ray Technology School where she worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson, NJ. She met her husband Samuel “Sam” Cherasaro at her cousin’s wedding and they were married August 30, 1958. They welcomed two daughters Noël and Chris and in 1981, adopted their third daughter Melodie.

Loret earned her EKG Tech. certification prior to moving to Florida. After moving to Florida, Loret went back to school and earned her LPN from Brewster Technical Center and went on to earn her associate degree in nursing from Hillsborough Community College. She worked at Erwin Vocational Technical School as a teacher’s aide in the Nursing Program for several years. Loret worked in doctor’s offices, St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, private duty nursing, and retired in 2010 from the James A. Haley V.A. Hospital after 21 years as an EKG Tech. She was a member of the Salesian Cooperators and Alter and Rosary Societies in the various churches she attended. She was a member of the Tampa Women’s Club and the Sons of Italy.

Loret leaves behind her three daughters: Noël Cherasaro (Patti Matera), Chris Antinori (Steve) and Melodie Cherasaro (Joe Madock), three grandchildren: Chad Antinori (Alexandra), Jayme (Antinori) Rayburn (Zach) and Christa (Antinori) Torres (Tony) and four great-grandchildren: Ila, Santino, Holly and T.J.

She also leaves behind numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Loret had a deep faith, a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother, loved music, and enjoyed spending time and celebrating life with her family and friends. She survived her husband Sam and her parents Francis and Loretta (Barradale) Macones.

A visitation will be held on December 29th, 2023 at Blount & Curry Funeral Home 605 S. MacDill Ave Tampa, FL 33609 from 5-7pm.

A Mass in celebration of her life will be held on December 30th, 2023 at 11:00 am at Mary Help of Christians Center located at 6400 E. Chelsea St. Tampa, Fl 33610 followed by interment at Sunset Memory Gardens 11005 US Hwy 301 Thonotasassa FL 33592.

Sign Language interpreters will be provided. Donations in her memory may be made to the Family Center on Deafness 12445 62nd St. #303 Largo, FL 33773 and Cristo Rey Tampa Salesian High School 6400 E. Chelsea ST Tampa, FL 33610.