Loretta Jean Reese

Loretta Jean was born in Compton, California to Donald Hardy of Utah and Elaine McColly Hardy of Pueblo, Colorado. She was the widow of Robert William Reese from Port Arthur, Texas, who died in '92; Jean is survived by her only son, Jeffrey Reese and daughter-in-law, Jeannie Reese.

After graduating from North Hollywood High School, Jean enjoyed 10 years of singing and performing, both for the USO and for various musical shows including the Billy Barnes Reviews. In August of 1953, while performing for a Hollywood theatre company, The Troupers, she met and married fellow performer Robert Reese and a year later they gave birth to their son Jeff.

Jean went on to work in the production offices at CBS and Review and for such notables as Red Skelton. She then had a brief stint as a voice talent along side Gary Owens at KFWB. Later, she worked for E.F. Hutton, Motown, and retired from KTLA, where she was awarded the title of Employee of the Year in 1993.

In her retirement, Jean took up writing, traveling and making new friends - her last years spent with the new friends she met while attending events at the Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center.

A memorial is planned for 1pm, March 17th, 2018 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Studio City, 12355 Moorpark St.

Her last wish was to be cremated and her ashes will be scattered in the ocean near Pearl Harbor where, at age 8, she and her mother survived the attack of December 7th, 1941.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to the American Heart Association.

For further information, contact: [email protected]