Lorna Retener, 60: Dedicated nurse and educator, mother to four daughters

This story is part of an ongoing Miami Herald series chronicling the lives of South Florida COVID-19 victims.

Lorna Retener will be remembered fondly as a dedicated mother, grandmother, nurse and educator. She died April 27 of complications from COVID-19. She was 60 years old.

She was born on Dec. 19, 1959, in Cavite City, Philippines. She and her husband, Rogelio Retener, were married for 40 years and had four daughters: Richelle, Reggie Lane, Rahni-Casey, and Rona.

“She’s one of the most dedicated, loving people in the world,” said Casey Retener. “She’s actually the role model that I’ve always looked up to in terms of who I wanted to be. She was dedicated in every way.”

Retener worked as a nurse and teacher in the Philippines. After scoring in the top 10 percent of the national nursing exam, she was presented with the opportunity to come to the United States, She arrived in 1992.

“She realized in order for her kids to have a future, it had to be in America,” said Casey. “If she hadn’t taken that opportunity, none of us would be here.”

Retener worked three nursing jobs while studying to pass her nursing exam. Her husband and three daughters remained in the Philippines and joined her in Miami in 1993. Her second-oldest daughter finished high school in the Philippines and joined the family years later.

She then worked at several facilities before starting at Plaza Health Network, where she remained for over 15 years and eventually got promoted to coordinator.

“Anyone that’s worked with her always says she’s kind and always a person you can go to,” said Reggie Lane Retener, her daughter. “A hard worker and dedicated nurse.”

After the promotion, Retener started working at Azure College in Fort Lauderdale, where she trained nursing students. Many times, she inspired them to pursue other degrees.

Casey remembers a time when a therapist stopped her at the hospital and told her that she used to work with her mom as a nursing assistant. Retener had inspired her to get a higher degree.

“She became a respiratory therapist,” said Casey. “That’s the basis of how she taught us … and other people: If you can do better and achieve better, go for it.”

Some of Retener’s relatives and former colleagues left messages on a virtual tribute wall, saying how much they admired her as a nurse and person.

Her daughters and coworkers also remember her calm and welcoming character as well as her love and dedication to her four grandchildren: Isaac, David, Lauren, and Arielle.

“She rarely gets upset,” said Reggie. “I was sort of the rebellious child growing up and she never got upset with me; she was always very forgiving and supportive. She’s the best advice-giver, and she’s open to anything. There was never judgment on her part.”

When she wasn’t working, Retener spent time shopping, going to the movies, and cooking for her family.

“She loved superhero movies,” said Reggie, laughing. “Anything Marvel and Avengers.”

Sundays were her days off, and she enjoyed getting the family together and cooking, said Casey. She often prepared Filipino food; her pancit (Filipino noodles) was the most popular among the family and a staple at parties.

Retener went to the hospital on April 22, two days after showing symptoms of COVID-19. The family spoke to her about two days later.

She was quickly put on a ventilator and died five days after entering the hospital. She will be missed by her husband, daughters, grandchildren, relatives, coworkers and friends.

“She always wanted to be a nurse, since she was little,” said Reggie. “She always reminded us to work hard, and that family was a big thing for us. She always wanted better opportunities for us — that’s why she always worked as hard as she could.”

Alejandra Marquez Janse, a Florida International University journalism student, wrote this story for the Miami Herald.