Loretta Campbell

Loretta Josephine "Ping" Campbell, of Twin Falls, passed away on February 15, 2015 after a stroke at the age of 89 at the home of her son and daughter in law, Don and Diane Campbell. Loretta Josephine was born on May 20, 1925 to Benvenuto and Paulina Minatta in Stockton, CA on the family farm. She was the youngest of 4 children: John, Theresa, and Edward. She married her husband of 46 years, John (Jack) Campbell, on April 28, 1946, with whom she had a son, Don, and daughter, Debra. Eight years after Jack's death in December 1988, she married Don Heldman of Edmonds, WA in 1996. Loretta was a fiery Italian beauty and the youngest by 10 years of Italian immigrants. Her father, Ben, was sent by his family to keep the family name alive, after his 2 older brothers were killed in WWI. Loretta's brothers and sister described her as "a spoiled brat" but of surprising tenacity, determination, and drive. It was this persistence that led to a remarkable marriage to Jack -- a love affair between an aspiring actress and a thrice wounded and bronze star decorated Marine Corporal. Jack, the youngest son of third generation Scots, met Loretta while selling war bonds during his recovery from disabling wounds sustained on Iwo Jima. The combination of Scottish stubbornness and Italian passion was the stuff of Hollywood fireworks. Their love for each other transcended the normal lasting 46 years until Jack's death from cancer. She celebrated their anniversary every year. Don Heldman, brother of one of Ping's best friends, rekindled Ping's zest for life, the two marrying in 1996. They travelled the world, from cruises to balloon rides to Don skydiving on his 80th birthday. Mom was as happy as ever. But as the new millennia dawned, life came apart. Don passed away due to an aneurism, her daughter, Debbie's auto-immune Wegener's disease finally caught up to her, and Mom developed a pituitary cancer and a rare case of brain meningitis. Complications from surgery and radiation led to a 6 month recovery and nearly complete loss of eyesight. Once again, she rallied moving to Bridgeview in Twin Falls in 2004 to be close to her son. She loved life and never forgot a birthday or anniversary of friend or family. She loved a good party and always dressed her best. Although legally blind, she spent summers at the family cabin in South Lake Tahoe, walking and racking up points at Harrah's poker machines. She played poker weekly at Bridgeview and loved going to Jackpot for the comradery and poker. The week before she died, she made the first sale of her son's book, had dinner with the whole family, played Bingo on Friday, and went to Jackpot on Sunday; she also walked to TJ Max to shop on Monday. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers and sister; first husband, Jack; her daughter, Debbie; and second husband, Don. Loretta is survived by her son and daughter in law, Don and Diane Campbell, 2 granddaughters, Audrey (Joran Elias) and Hailey (Jason Barnes), 4 grandsons, Trystin, Luke, Bryce, and Ciaran, and many nieces and nephews. We miss her and will do our best to live up to her example of never giving up and always striving to see the good in everyone; accepting the cards God deals, and playing the hand the best you can; to love our family and sometimes remind them how proud and humbling it is to inherit the legacy of those who sacrificed much so we can be here today. An open house memorial service will be held at Bridgeview in Twin Falls, Sunday, February 22 at 5:30 pm. Donations in lieu of flowers should be made out to the Wounded Warrior Project, care of Parke's Funeral Home. But if you want to send flowers, Mom's favorite was the Sweet Sixteen Rose, a pink and white beauty, please send to either Bridgeview or Parke's Funeral Home, Twin Falls, ID.