Lorita Louise Vail

Lorita was born to Loris and Aurelia Stewart. She lived with her parents in the basement apartment below her Grandparents in Provo before moving to Powell WY in 1942. In 1951 she moved to Caldwell where she met Ed Vail while attending Caldwell High School, he was the Captain of the football team and she the class Majorette, they married July 23, 1953. Children soon followed and she began to fulfill her life’s desire of being a Mother. The beginning was hard losing her first two babies born a year apart, each living just a few days. Soon she was blessed by the births of Michael, Shelly and Ellen in rapid succession. Ed’s job took them to Pullman WA in 1963, where within a week of moving Ellen was taken in a tragic accident. In March of 1964 she was blessed again with her last child Steven. In 1966 the family moved to Prosser, WA followed by Glenn’s Ferry, ID before settling in Boise – into the house she would love and call home for 53 years. Lorita loved her home with its big picture window looking out on an enormous Sycamore tree. A tree she loved and one that her children, grandchildren and “greats” would learn to climb.

Lorita loved learning and she was a natural born teacher, later proudly going back to school for her degree in Communication. She took a position at Borah High School just in time for Steve’s Sophomore year, retiring in 2001 after working at Borah, East and North Jr High Schools. She enjoyed her job, the students and the faculty forging many close friendships.

Lorita was devastated at the loss of Ed in 1993, she turned to her faith, family and friends becoming the independent strong women we all knew and loved. Her faith and belief in the scripture was unwavering, her love for Our Heavenly Father unfaltering, she truly was a child of God. Until last December she the Wards Service Coordinator, a position she loved, always anxious to help those in times of need. Empathy was one of her strongest qualities, she felt for all without judgement or exclusion.

Buddy her dog was her best companion, besides Ed and the cats. You could always count on a purring fat cat to welcome you whenever you visited. She was a bleed-blue BSU Bronco looking forward to the next season, having picked out favorite players already. She loved popcorn, kittens, sweet peas, a fresh morning snowfall…Christmas and homemade bread. She was idealistic, valued family unity, respect, and tradition. Lorita’s calendar is full of Birthdays and events, her address book full of names and phone numbers.

More than anything else she loved being a Grandma, and her Grands loved her! Perfecting her mothering skills for two more generations, attending all school and sporting events rain or shine. She was known for her stories, back-rubs, playing make believe and making frequent trips to Big Bun. She also shared her deeper values and continued to guide her Grandchildren, feeling their joy and pain along the way as if it were her own. Her deepest wish was for their happiness and health and showed this by tirelessly being involved and she was always available to help. No doubt she will continue to walk with them throughout their lives nudging them in the right direction.

Lorita is survived by her children, Mike (Patty) Vail, Steve (Krissy) Vail, Shelly Richardson (Larry Boston); Grandchildren Danielle Richardson (Nick McGinnis), Dayna (Tim) Watson, Martin Vail, Hanna Vail (Jarrod Carlson), Parker Vail, Carson Vail; Great-Grandchildren Vincent Richardson, Layla Pedroza, Nicholas McGinnis, Kynley and Everly Watson, Eli and Amelia Lee Carlson. Brothers Wayne Stewart, David (Izumi) Stewart, Sister Juli (David) Kosta. Numerous Nieces and Nephews. She was proceeded in death by her parents, husband Ed Vail, children Paul, Mary and Ellen Vail, grandson Jacob Richardson and Sister-in-law Connie Stewart.

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