Obituary for Loretta ‘Lori’ Brock Smith: October 21, 1954 to July 21, 2025

Loretta (Lori) Brock Smith passed away on July 21, 2025, in Fernley, Nevada, where she lived in residential care for Alzheimer’s disease for several years.  Lori was 70 years old. 

Lori was born in Los Angeles, California, on October 21, 1954, the first child of John and Letitia Brock (now Roth).  As a young girl, Lori attended Saint Anthony’s School in San Gabriel, CA.  Moving to West Los Angeles as a teen, Lori had many responsibilities, helping raise her three younger sisters. She graduated from Notre Dame Academy in 1973 and began pursuing a career in law enforcement as a Police Cadet with the El Segundo Police Department.  Upon completion of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Academy, Lori joined ESPD as a police officer in 1975.  On October 3, 1977, Lori began her remarkable career with the West Covina Police Department.  Entering as a police officer, she was promoted to Corporal in 1982, Sergeant in 1990, and earned the rank of Lieutenant a few years later. Also during the 90s, prior to her retirement, Lori served as the Chief Adjutant.  Lori graduated from California State University at Dominguez Hills with an associate’s degree, majoring in Administrative Justice. In 1986 she continued, earning a bachelor’s degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and was recognized by the San Gabriel Valley YWCA as one of their “Women of Achievement ’87”.  Lori pursued a teaching credential, an accomplishment which she attributed to her time spent working with the department’s DARE program.

Lori married Terry Smith in 1990.  Together, they designed their retirement property   Yerington, Nevada, where they spent many happy years until Terry’s passing in 2005.  In retirement, Lori enjoyed long-term and short-term substitute teaching in kindergarten classes at Yerington Elementary School, helping with the books at Dini’s Lucky Club, baking for the holidays, and tending her cows, pigs, chickens, and dogs.  Lori relished visits from her stepchildren and grandchildren; spending time with her friends from St. John the Baptist in Smith Valley and YES; and taking care of others.

Lori will be remembered for her compassion, her devotion to others, her integrity in service, and her gentle heart.  

Lori is proceeded in death by her husband, father, and sister Kathleen.  She is survived by her mother; her sisters, Karen Wolf and Jennifer Smith; her stepchildren, Robert Smith and Karen Sweet; and her step grandchildren, Casey, Alysse, and Jacob.  

A funeral mass for Lori will be held at 2:30 PM on Saturday, November 08, at St. John the Baptist Mission Catholic Church, 11 NV-338, Smith, NV, with a celebration of life to follow.  In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Loretta’s memory be made to either of the following:  Alzheimer’s Association: Donate to Alzheimer’s Disease Research or Notre Dame Academy: Donation · Notre Dame Academy Schools of Los Angeles · GiveCampus.

Arrangements and cremation was under the direction of Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home, 25 Hwy 208 Yerington, NV 89447 (775) 463-2911.