Julia D. (Lozaw) Luft of Warwick entered into rest on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, two weeks after her 90th birthday at St. Anthony Community Hospital.
Born in Vernon, New Jersey, she was the daughter of Judge Oscar and Florence (Parker) Lozaw.
A retired practical nurse, she worked at area hospitals then for many years at the Pius School for troubled boys before completing a career that spanned three decades as a nurse at St. Anthony Community Hospital.
She is survived by daughter Susan Flis (Lou Cappelli) of Tuscon, Az., daughter Mary Luft (Wayne Bogart) of Stanwood, Wash.; two granddaughters: Malea D’Amico (David D’Amico) of Marvin, N.C., and Jennifer Flis of Warwick; “grandson” Aaron Houck of Warwick; three great grandchildren: Tyler, Logan and Julia D’Amico: and “adopted” daughter Debbie Mangano (Ike Mangano) of Port Angeles, Wash. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, D. Kenneth Luft, her brother Louis Cisco, her sister Shirley Lozaw Eime, many friends and extended family members.
Julia will be best remembered for her enduring strength. She beat breast cancer and was a 25+ year survivor.
She loved animals from the horse that she’d ride to school to the chagrin of school officials, to her pet pig Arnie who topped out at 500 pounds and was often adorned with a rhinestone collar.
Julia was always ready to go! She was a trailblazer and regaled family with stories of her youth, reminding them that they’d never be as beautiful as she was. She loved traveling and cruises and always looked forward to her trips to Atlantic City, various casinos, and playing bingo. She rarely missed a garage sale and was always available to drive anyone anywhere – including NYC.
Julia will also be remembered for her feisty personality - drag racing unsuspecting teenage boys at stop lights right up until she was ceremoniously relieved of her driving privileges and even parasailing at the age of 78. She was the life of the party.
Friends and family are encouraged to attend to a celebration of life that will be held in lieu of a service at the Warwick Valley Country Club, 42 Oakland Ave., Warwick, on Tuesday, Oct. 5, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
Contributions in her name may be made to the Pine Island Volunteer Ambulance Corps, PO Box 264, Pine Island, NY 10969.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the T.S. Purta Funeral Home. To send a condolence online, please go to www.purtafuneralhome.com.