Loretta Lynne Faix

Loretta Lynne "Detta" Faix, 68, of Elizabeth Township, Pennsylvania passed away unexpectedly at her home on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from a heart attack. She was born March 30, 1958, grew up in Jefferson Hills, graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, and was the daughter of the late William Joseph Faix, Sr. and the late Mary Jane (Huschak) Faix of Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania.

She is survived by siblings Willaim J. Faix, Junior of North Carolina, Clare Dean Faix of Texas, and Betty Jane “Elizabeth” Faix (formerly Soltis) of White Oak, Pennsylvania; her nieces and nephews Mary “Chrissy” “Peaches” “Marie” Christine Soltis of Greenock, Pennsylvania; Leslie (Faix) Woolard of North Carolina; William Faix of North Carolina; the late Samuel James Faix of Texas; Laurie (Faix) Decarlo of Texas; and Matthew Faix of Texas; her God-daughter and great-niece Marilee “Misha” Isabel Carlson of New York City, New York; and six other great-nieces and great-nephews. Just as important as family to her, Loretta left hundreds of friends, new and old.

Loretta trained as a journeywoman pipe fitter at the former Volkswagen plant in New Stanton, Pennsylvania where she worked until its closing. She then worked at The Pennsylvania American Water Company in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, and most recently at Duquesne Light in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, retiring at 62 years young. She was a master at her professional craft, installing industrial pipelines in public works, roads, residences, manufacturing facilities, and steel mills; welding; high risk digging/shoring; operating heavy industrial machinery and construction equipment; and working in dangerous industrial environments. She found great pride in her arsenal of tools and was passionate about teaching everyone how to use them.

However, Loretta’s real labor of love during her retirement years was fostering cats and kittens and trapping and rehabilitating feral cats. She volunteered with White Oak Animal Safe Haven, Phoenix and Friends, and Fur All Kittys, and anyone who found a cat in need or who needed a cat friend. She is survived by her sweet pet cats: Bubby, Lover Boy, Ziggy, Willow, Black Friday (wobble cat), Bug, Osiris, Isis, Gizelle, Illinois, and the late Stormy.

Loretta was an avid collector of guns, a member of the McKeesport Sportsmen’s Association, a natural markswoman, and a turkey hunter in her earlier years. Loretta collected unique and fascinating antiques and works of art her whole life. Her home was like a secret museum and she had a story about each and every one of her pieces.

She was a life-long lover of nature, creeks, plants, insects, creatures, fossils, rocks, bird calls, feathers, and sitting around the fire pit.

Loretta’s most notable feature was her many beautiful animal and nature themed tattoos, acquired over thirty years by the same artist friend - intricately detailed, colorful, a true personal expression as unique as her creative mind. She had a special affection Woodstock from the Peanuts, who was featured in many of her tattoos.

She lovingly tended her vegetable and flower garden, sharing her seeds, plants, vegetables, fruits and the fresh pesto and zucchini bread she made for her harvest generously with everyone.

She loved Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, aliens, organizing her home and garage, decorating, carrying on the traditional Slovak food, cookies and pies.

She was happiest in her home during thunderstorms and snowstorms, stoking her fireplace from a huge wood pile she cut herself.

Loretta loved children, referring to herself as their “Fairy Godmother” - and children loved her joy, silliness, thoughtful conversations, and gifts.

She was a music and concert lover since her teens - Janis Joplin, David Bowie, P!nk, Fiona Apple, Steve Miller, and Melissa Ethridge -blasting her music from her big trucks and the coolest motorcycles.

Loretta was a proud lesbian, a huge advocate for lesbian and women's rights, and attended Pittsburgh Pride regularly. She found and made an extensive community in these circles she cherished for life.

If you knew Loretta, you loved Loretta. She was unique, wildly creative with a heart of gold, full of natural talent, multi-skilled, a life-long learner, and achieved so much in life. She was a rock star flying high in the sky!

In keeping with Loretta’s wishes, she was privately and lovingly laid to rest by cremation in her steel-toed work boots and a bouquet of clippings from her beautiful garden, with no public funeral or memorial service.

Arrangements are by the Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 6028 Smithfield Street, Boston, Elizabeth Township (412) 751-5000. Drew J. Gilbert, Director.

Condolences may be made at GilbertFuneralHomeandCrematory.com