About Loretta Kay Kanavel
Loretta Kay (Flake) Kanavel passed away peacefully on March 4, 2019 in Mesa, Arizona after a courageous year-long battle with cancer. Loretta was born to Rolf and Jean Flake in Mesa, Arizona on June 4, 1956. She lived in Arizona nearly all of her 62 years, and spent most of her formative years in Gilbert. On April 25, 1992 she married the love of her life, Patrick Kanavel, and they made their home in Mesa. Loretta was full of life and had an infectious laugh and a ready smile for friends and acquaintances old and new.
Loretta spent several years working at Gordon Darby as office manager. More recently, she worked for more than 5 years as teacher’s aide at Crismon Elementary. She loved her work at the school and the dear friends she made while there, and considered her greatest life’s work to be her family.
Loretta is survived by her husband, Patrick, and son, Jonah, and stepdaughters Jamie Kanavel and Carrie Kanavel-Hyde, and three grandchildren. She is also survived by parents, Rolf and Jean Flake, of Gilbert and siblings LaDawn Halbison, Kent (Lori) Flake, Reed (Amy) Flake, Kirk (Lori) Flake, and Kristen (Carl) Bloomfield. She is preceded in death by a brother-in-law, David Halbison.
Memorial services are Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 220 E. Cullumber Ave., Gilbert, AZ 85234. The memorial service will be preceded by a visitation from 10:00 -10:50 a.m. Flowers may be sent to the church building at 220 E. Cullumber Ave., Gilbert, AZ 85234 for arrival between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, or a donation to Hospice of the Valley is suggested in lieu of flowers.