Loretta Shalik, 81, of Jacksonville, Florida passed away on June 26, 2012 in Jacksonville, FL. Born to George and Mary (Bea) Milefchik on November 16, 1930 in Pocahontas, Iowa. She was a member of the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, where she volunteered for over 15 years. She was the Handicapped Professional Woman of the Year in Jacksonville in 1983, and received the First Humanitarian Award as Memorial Hospital’s outstanding volunteer in 2002. She will be remembered for her fierce independence and indomitable spirit. After contracting polio in 1949, and the various physical challenges she encountered in her lifetime, she was able to learn how to drive, go to college, obtain both her Bachelor and Master degrees, and have a career of her own after she divorced and her kids were on their own. She always had a smile to greet all that she met, and didn’t know the meaning of the word “can’t.” She will be missed by all that she knew. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Gene Milefchik. She is survived by her daughter, Karen Studenka of St. George, Utah and son, Ken Shalik of Tacoma, Washington. She is also survived by her sisters: Betty, Peg, Patti and Judy, and brothers: Jack, Frances, and Dick. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at the Memorial Hospital Chapel in Jacksonville, Florida. Her remains will be buried in Pocahontas, Iowa. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Jacksonville, Fla.

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