Elizabeth Dunn Loftus

Elizabeth Dunn Loftus, age 95, longtime resident of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 26, 2016, in the Compassionate Care Hospice Unit at St. Francis Hospital. Elizabeth was born in Beaver Meadows, PA on March 18, 1921, and was the third of four children of the late Albert and Catherine (Sippel) Dunn. Elizabeth enlisted in the U.S. Navy where she cared for troops serving in WWII and the Korean War, and rose to the rank of Lieutenant. She met an injured soldier named Jack Loftus whom she eventually married and together, the couple raised their children, Betty Ann and Paul. After Jack’s passing in 1999, Elizabeth connected with a group of fellow women veterans from WAVE’s Unit 10. The women met monthly and formed a strong bond. Elizabeth was an amazing mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. She adored her grandchildren and even though she became a grandmother later in life, looked forward to hearing about her grandchildren’s daily activities and antics. In her leisure time, Elizabeth adored trips to Dewey Beach to dip her feet in the ocean surf or eat crabs on the porch with her grandchildren while enjoying the ocean breeze. On occasion, she would bring some of her WAVE friends to the beach, where this group became fondly referred to as the Golden Girls. Elizabeth will be remembered for her positive outlook. Even when she was ill and slightly forgetful, she often reminded her loved ones to remain happy. Elizabeth lived a full and magnificent life, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 47 years, John P. Jack Loftus; daughter, Elizabeth A. Betty Ann Loftus; granddaughter, Madeline Elizabeth Loftus; and siblings, William Dunn, Harold Dunn and Louise Faust. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Paul J. and Marcy Loftus of Poolesville, MD; grandchildren, Catherine, Margaret, Jack, and Will; and many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Elizabeth’s neighbors for the tremendous support they gave her over the years; and the staff of Delaware Hospice; and Minda, Sue, Diana, and the entire team of Shore Care for their loving and compassionate care. A funeral service will be held at 10 am on Tuesday morning, September 6, 2016 at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, where a visitation will be held from 9:30 am until 10 am. Interment will follow in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Elizabeth’s memory may be made to the Fisher House for Families of the Fallen, 116 Purple Heart Dr., Dover AFB, DE 19902.