Loretta Lea Ray Rivers, born October 6, 1938, in Monroe, Louisiana to Louis Mack Ray and Margaret Powell, succumbed to cancer on June 6, 2024. She was the only child of Louis and Margaret, but she gained five half-siblings on her father’s side and three half-siblings on her mother’s side after her parents divorced and then remarried. Loretta spent her whole life in Monroe with the exception of several brief periods, when she lived in Maryland where her mom had resettled. Loretta married Jack L. Rivers in 1959, and became the proud mother of three children, Dawn, Ray and Robin. Later years brought 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Her early education included, Georgia Tucker Primary School, Neville High School and LSU in Baton Rouge. At Neville High School, she graduated Salutatorian, and then went on to finish top of her class in Accounting at LSU. At that time, she was the only woman in the university’s history to maintain a 4.0 average in accounting. In her Senior year, Loretta was honored with membership to Mortar Board and Phi Beta Kappa in recognition of her academic and leadership achievements. After years of being a housewife and mother, Loretta returned to school to obtain a master’s degree in business administration, attending Northeast Louisiana University, NLU, and completing her degree with another perfect GPA. Subsequently, she passed all parts of the very rigorous CPA exam at the same time on her first sitting. Finally, in 1980, at the age of 42, she embarked on her 30+ year career with Merrill Lynch and quickly became one of their top producers.

Following her divorce from Jack in 1978, Loretta had a long relationship with Louis Gurvich of New Orleans. She often referred to him as the love of her life. Louis was President of the American Contract Bridge League, ACBL, for many years. Together they traveled the world, meeting extraordinary people and playing international-level bridge. Loretta had a passion for Bridge from a young age, and over the years amassed over 12,000 life master points, an extraordinary number to be sure. She played tournaments all over the United States and around the world, but the Bridge Center in Monroe was her beloved home base. She held many leadership positions there and was instrumental in helping to build a permanent home. Reportedly, she was the one to beat each year in the district race for the most life master points. Loretta had many interests over the years, but never did anything half-way. She held leadership positions at the Junior League of Monroe and her beloved sorority, Pi Beta Phi. When she played bridge, she played to win. When she became a grandmother, she worked hard at being the most exciting, adored grandmother ever.

May her legacy inspire us to work hard, aim high and prioritize family above all else.

Loretta is survived by her children and their spouses, Dawn Sarasin, Amy and Ray Rivers, Robin and Mike Daly; her grandchildren and their spouses, Tatiana Sarasin, Alexandra and Hakan Veyrat, Christophe Sarasin, Jack and Kristen Rivers, Kara and Ted Helfrich, Sydney Rivers, Audrey Keller; her great-grandchildren, Adem and Ethan Sarasin-Veyrat, Louisa and Teddy Helfrich, Elizabeth Rose Rivers; her sisters Pamela Schmidt and Krista Ray Pierce; her brother, Ronald Ray and their families and beloved nieces and nephews.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ronald Ray, Ray Rivers, Jack Austin Rivers, Michael Daly, Rod Cascio, Harris Brown and John Kennedy.

A service honoring Loretta’s life will be held at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at First Methodist Church of Monroe on Loop Road. Officiating will be Pastor Brian Mercer. A reception for friends and family will be held following the services from 3:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M at Bayou DeSiard Country Club.

Memorials in Loretta’s honor may be made to the Monroe Bridge Center, 2902 Cameron Street, Monroe, LA 71201 or Memorial Sloan Kettering.

A private family burial will take place at Mulhearn Memorial Park cemetery under the direction and care of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Monroe.

Kilpatrick Funeral Home
Monroe, Louisiana

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