Paula Loretto

Paula Loretto, 55, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Paula was preceded in death by her daughter Savannah Fontenelle, granddaughter Sunni Rae Reza; parents Paul and Gloria Loretto; paternal grandparents Louis and Carrie Loretto; maternal grandparents Jane and Nathaniel Nasheboo and Dempsey Kanteena, Sr.; brothers Arthur Loretto and Louis Loretto.

Paula is survived by her daughter Kayla Loretto of Texas, son Troy "TJ" Fontenelle of Santa Fe; sisters: Carrie Loretto of Zuni, Joy Gutierrez of Albuquerque, Jennifer Tyson of Albuquerque; brothers Lawrence Loretto of Ramah and Gabriel Senteney of Albuquerque; step-sister Zan Luna of Albuquerque, step-brother Travis Tyson; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and family all over New Mexico and beyond who will miss her dearly.

She was born to Paul and Gloria Loretto in California in September of 1970.

California was just the first of many places Paula traveled to and lived in. She grew up in Zuni with her maternal grandparents and three of her seven siblings. She attended St. Anthony's Indian School, Santa Fe Indian School, and Gallup High School before graduating from Twin Buttes High School in Zuni. She also lived in Gallup, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, Kingman, Arizona, Shreveport, Louisiana. She found what she called her "community" in Santa Fe and made the city different her last home.

She held a variety of jobs but the one she was most proud of was being mother to Troy Jr., Savannah Fontenelle, and Kayla Loretto. She also delighted in her role of cat mom to Athena. Another role that made her proud was serving her Santa Fe street community -- cooking meals, offering a place to rest, motherly advice, and whatever else they needed. She was one of those unknown everyday heroes that make a difference in other people's lives.

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