Loretta Marie Czahor

Loretta Marie Czahor, age 85 of Columbia, Maryland passed away on May 3, 2026, in Columbia, Maryland. Born on March 23, 1941, in New Jersey, she lived a life marked by faith, music, and unwavering dedication to teaching and community service.

From the tender age of 16, Loretta’s remarkable talent for music ministry blossomed as she began directing liturgical music at St. Joseph Church in Raritan, New Jersey. This early calling ignited a lifelong passion that would see her serve in about fourteen different civilian and military church parishes throughout her life. Her gift of music was not merely a vocation but a beacon of comfort and inspiration to countless congregations, both stateside and abroad. Her commitment was unwavering, spanning decades and continents.

At 21, Loretta embraced a new chapter in her life when she married Air Force Lieutenant Raymond Czahor, embarking on a journey that brought them around the world to places, including the Philippines and Germany. This union deepened her connection to the military community, and she became an integral part of this extended family, her heart and spirit entwined with service and sacrifice.

While living in Oklahoma, Loretta found inspiration teaching music at St. Phillip Neri, which led her to pursue formal education in early childhood. In 1979, she graduated from the University of Maryland College Park with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, a milestone arrived at just in time for an opportunity to teach kindergarten within the Department of Defense Dependent School System in Germany. Her passion for nurturing young minds was palpable; she loved teaching children and had a unique ability to connect and inspire them, making her a beloved figure among her students and colleagues alike.

Upon returning to the United States, Loretta continued her musical ministry with steadfast dedication. She was the first Music Minister at the newly founded St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fulton, Maryland, and later served for sixteen years as Music Minister at St. Andrews on Andrews Air Force Base until her retirement in 2013. Even in retirement, her days were quietly spent in the loving company of her devoted husband, Ray, the man who shared her life for 63 years.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Loretta cherished watching New York Yankees baseball games and watching her grandson, Will play baseball. She also was a talented pianist and organist, bringing joy through the music she so passionately played.

Loretta is survived by her husband Raymond Czahor; their son, John Czahor and his wife Dawn; and their grandson William Czahor. These beloved family members carry forward her legacy of love, dedication, and faith.

A visitation honoring Loretta’s life will be held on May 8, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Donaldson Funeral Home, P.A., located at 313 Talbott Ave, Laurel, MD. Following this, a Mass celebrating her spirit will be held at St. Francis of Assisi, 8300 Old Columbia Road, Fulton, MD, from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM. 

The burial will take place the next day, May 9, at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Cemetery, 500 US-22, Bridgewater, NJ, beginning at 10:30 AM.

Loretta Marie Czahor's life was one of heartfelt melody, dedicated service, and boundless love. Her legacy will forever resonate in the hearts of those she touched, her music continuing as an eternal hymn of grace and warmth. She will be deeply missed but lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege to know her.