Mary Loftus

Some view the role of a mother to be mundane work with little reward, but nothing could have been further from the truth in the mind of Mary Loftus as she viewed being a mother as both her highest calling and her greatest blessing. A patient, kindhearted, and generous woman she devoted her life to spending time with those she loved, making a significant impact in the lives of so many within her reach. It was clear to see by the way she lived her life that Mary’s unwavering faith was her constant companion as she viewed both the great joys and the deep sorrows of life to be part of God’s perfect plan for her life. A true gift in every sense of the word, Mary will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

The decade of the thirties are often recalled as a time in our nation’s history that was cloaked in hardship due to the unrelenting grip of the Great Depression. Countless Americans found themselves without work, without homes, and without much hope for reprieve anywhere on the horizon. To make matters worse, a crippling drought blanketed our nation’s heartland causing further stress on an already hurting agricultural industry. Despite the circumstances around them there was much to celebrate for one family from Elkhart, Indiana, as they were pleased to announce the birth of their healthy baby girl on October 10, 1933. Baby Mary Catherine was welcomed into the world by her parents, Peter and Rose (Fortino) Minelli, and was raised in a loving family that included her older sister, Helen, and her brother, Peter. Her parents both immigrated to America from Italy and were hard working people as her father worked for the railroad while her mother was a homemaker. Mary’s formative years were spent in both Elkhart and Cleveland, Ohio, with her parents and sister. She attended local schools and went on to graduate from Notre Dame High School in Cleveland.

It was as a teenager that Mary met the man she would marry. His name was Raymond Loftus and they met while attending St. Jerome’s in Cleveland. The couple began dating and fell in love. With a desire to build a life together Mary and Raymond were married on May 14, 1955, at St. Jerome’s. Together they were blessed with eight children including six boys and two girls. Many of the parenting duties fell solely on Mary’s shoulders as her husband’s work frequently took him out of town. Although raising their eight children was challenging at times, she was a woman of grace, patience, and understanding who devoted her life to providing her children with what was best. There was rarely a dull moment around the Loftus household and Mary could often be heard saying, “Don’t throw that ball in the house!”

Throughout her life Mary’s steadfast faith was the compass she used to direct her steps. She was a member of St. Augustine’s, and she also regularly volunteered at Borgess VNA Home Health & Hospice. Although her life was not without times of trial, Mary maintained her joy and lived by the truth in one of her favorite philosophies, “Let go, let God."

It was easy to see that there was nothing that was more important in Mary’s life than her children and her friends. Many of her happiest times were spent with both her family and her friends, and it was not uncommon for Mary to travel to see her loved ones who were far away. She experienced an unforgettable trip to Italy with her cousins where she visited her father’s village. Mary felt truly privileged to experience a piece of her heritage from long ago with many of the people she treasured. She was usually one to keep busy while having fun golfing, making beautiful creations with stained glass, and knitting socks.

A loving and compassionate woman, Mary Loftus was an extraordinary woman to know and love. Her sense of humor would make you laugh, and she was always more than willing to help those around her. Mary’s devotion to her children was unmatched, and she was so proud of the many branches her family tree came to hold. With a life that spanned so many monumental transformations in the world around her, she remained true to who she was, never wavering from the things she believed in. Mary’s legacy will live on in the lives of those who follow her.

Mary Catherine Loftus died on November 24, 2011, at her home. Mary’s family includes her 7 children: Mark (Robin) Loftus, Michael Loftus, Laura (Phil) Gigante, Christopher (Barb) Loftus, Peter (Kim) Loftus, Robert (Beth) Loftus and James Loftus; 18 grandchildren; great-granddaughter; sister, Helen (James) Weybrecht; and many nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Loftus in 1985; daughter, Linda Loftus; and brother, Peter Minelli. Learn more about Mary, view her Life Story film, and share in some refreshments with her family and friends on Monday from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler; 6080 Stadium Dr., 375-2900. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday 10 a.m. at St. Augustine Cathedral. Burial at East Cooper Cemetery. A luncheon will follow with a time of sharing at the Life Story Center. Please visit Mary’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo or sign her memory book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial donations may be directed to Borgess VNA Home Health & Hospice or Borgess Tree of Love.