“…true strength is feeling it all, but always finding the good and carrying it forward. It’s finding peace in continuing on while letting your pain and your joy coexist. You don’t always have to understand why, and when in doubt, come together, laugh and have faith.”

— Amy Miller, from An Open Letter to My Grandmother, June 2020

Loretta May (Honey) Zettell (nee Schnarr) of Goderich, ON, formerly of Kitchener, September 6, 1930 – February 10, 2026
Loretta was born at home in Bloomingdale, Ontario. Her father, Alvin Phillip Schnarr, was a mechanic and sign painter by trade, and a farmer and gardener at heart. Her mother, Elizabeth Mary (May) Forler was a homemaker and quilter who loved music. Their passions flowed into Loretta’s growing years. Loretta went to public school in Bloomingdale but attended St. Mary’s High School in Kitchener. It was in town that she met Jerry (William Jerome) Zettell, who mistook her for an old girlfriend and asked her on a date. Loretta, the not girlfriend, said yes, and the rest is history. They were married on June 26, 1950 but not before Loretta took a break from the relationship to study nursing in Hamilton, ON, and though she left to marry before she graduated, nursing informed the rest of her life.
A succession of children were born, nine in total, between 1951 and 1966 and life in a three bedroom bungalow on 59 Gerard Ave was busy. Loretta worked nights for a time at Smiles & Chuckles Chocolates and once all of us kids were in school, she took a part time job as a cashier at Zehrs Stanley Park ,work she loved. Summer holidays were spent camping first at Sauble Beach, then Miller Lake and then at Shelter Valley Campground. She retired in 1990 and she and Jerry split their time between their summer home in Shelter Valley and a winter residence in Dade City, Florida. Eventually she and Jerry lived full time in Goderich, their home for the last 30 years. Loretta did auxiliary work in hospitals in Goderich and Florida, and was a 50 plus year member of The Catholic Women’s League and an active parishioner at St Peter’s Church in Goderich.
Loretta was the last living member of both the Schnarr and Zettell families. She is survived by her children Susan Zettell and Andy Watt, Daniel Watt and Noelle England, Lilah and Mae Watt and John Watt, Atlas Westland Watt; Anne and Peter Knittle, Shane and Kimberly Knittle; Tiffany and Heinz Klassen, Erik and Lindsey Klassen; Kristine and Brad Stewart, Nathan, Abilgail, Michael and Brice; Diane and Bill Fowler, Kyle and Trish, Luke Fowler; Sara and Avalynn Fowler; Patrick Zettell; Nancy Zettell and Rick Pope; James and Heather Zettell, Tyler Stewart, Nevi and Kaine Stewart ; Jacqueline Howey and Mark Poser, Amy and Steve Miller, Austen and Isaac Miller; Eli Howey and Zenette Singh; Debbie Whan, Zachary, Jonathan and Katie Zettell; Michael Zettell and Heron Zettell.
Predeceased by her husband Jerome Zettell, children Bernadette Bryans, Tom Zettell and Jerry Zettell Jr; grandson Mackenzie Howey; her brothers LAC Roy Schnarr; Jack Schnarr (Olga), Jerry Schnarr, (Elaine); Lorne Schnarr (Doreen), son-in law Alex Bryans.
Cherished by her many devoted nieces and nephews, and her dear friends at Table #4.
It has been difficult to lose Loretta but we are grateful to have had her in our lives for so long. She was special in so many ways: kind, generous, a woman of strong convictions and opinions, thoughtful about the world. She even got a little chippy in her last year. She cherished her family and also her many dear friends. She was fiercely attached to life. She did not want to die. That said, right up until the end, she laughed often and big at how life goes because, she said, you’d cry if you didn’t laugh first.
Loretta was lucky to have had Anne Knittle in her later life. Anne, supported by Peter, was partly why Loretta lived as long and as well as she did, and we all thank them for that.
Memorial donations to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada or the St. Vincent de Paul, Goderich gratefully acknowledged.
The family thanks Dr. Krishna, Dr. Peel, Dr. Gray and the Palliative Care Team RN Paige, RN Kathy and RN Emma. A heartfelt thank you to her Goderich Place family, for the loving care she received from all the staff.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday June 27, 2026 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Goderich with visitation to be held one hour prior at 10 AM. And Mass at 11 AM. A luncheon will follow at the church. A private family graveside service will be held.

Condolences for the family of “ZETTELL: Loretta May”

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