Loretta Heyward Jendraszak

Loretta Heyward Jendraszak passed from this life to the next in her 75th year on November 10, 2026, at her home in Fishers, Indiana. A beloved wife, mother, gran, teacher, and friend, she will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her genuine care for the Dear Neighbor, her generosity of spirit, and her kindness to all.

Loretta’s ministry to others spanned decades. She taught in both urban and rural communities; served alongside her future husband with the Community of St. Joseph Carondelet at the St. Joseph Home for Boys in Chicago, a residential treatment center for boys dealing with trauma, abuse, neglect, and behavioral challenges; taught as an early childhood educator with at-risk populations; and served as a professor of early childhood education at Ivy Tech and St. Mary-of-the-Woods colleges in Indiana.

Loretta credited her love of service and deep faith to the values imparted to her by her Methodist upbringing and reinforced by her time at Andrew College, a Methodist institution in Cuthbert, Georgia. Throughout her adult life, Loretta’s faith and ministry were animated by the Sacred Mystery of Unifying Love, a key component of the spirituality and charism of the Community of St. Joseph, which she joined as an Associate in 1999. For decades, alongside other CSJ members, Loretta shared and grew in her faith, spiritual journey, and concern and care for all people with an intimate group of dear friends called “Matrix.” Most recently, her spirituality grew and flourished as a member of Indianapolis First Friends, a Quaker Meeting.

The most meaningful aspect of her life was her relationship with her husband, Stephen “Patrick”—the great love of her life—through 45 years of marriage. Together, they gave the world two wonderful children, followed by three beautiful grandchildren. Loretta delighted in spending time with her family, especially at the beach, and in keeping in touch with her many friends, both near and far. A Southern girl at heart, she never lost her accent, her affinity for peach pies from The Varsity, or her love of peaches and pecans. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but we also know she has left this world a better place by her time in it.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, Wilmot Holmes Heyward Jr. and Dorothy (Marfilius) Heyward of Duluth, Georgia; her mother-in-law, Matilda (Godbout) Jendraszak of Fishers; and her brother-in-law, Bro. Bruce Jendraszak, O.S.A., of Matteson, Illinois. She is survived by her husband, Stephen “Patrick” Jendraszak of Fishers; her sons, Stephen (Lindsey) Jendraszak of Atlanta, Georgia, and Edmund “Andrew” (Elizabeth) Jendraszak of St. Louis, Missouri; her grandchildren, Henry and Charlotte Jendraszak of Atlanta and Wilmot Jendraszak of St. Louis; her brother, Robert Charles (Joyce) Heyward of Cumming, Georgia; and her nephews, Robert “Walker” and Eric (Kirby) Heyward of Cumming.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 21, at Indianapolis First Friends, 3030 Kessler Boulevard East Dr. in Indianapolis.

In leu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to Indianapolis First Friends or to the Community of St. Joseph of Carondelet St. Louis Province. In either case, Loretta’s name can be listed as a memorial, and for the Community of St. Joseph, the purpose of the gift can be listed as the “Association.”