Grace Rose Lofaro, aged 96, passed away peacefully at home in Greenville, South Carolina, on November 3rd, 2024. A devout Catholic her whole life, the day was a Sunday morning, the Lord’s day, when she passed. A small comfort for her family, but a fitting and beautiful way for her to be greeted in heaven.
Grace’s life was a light in this world, and it touched everyone she met. Born on July 4th, 1928 in Brooklyn, New York, Grace later moved with her parents to Milton, New York, sometime around the age of 12. As an adult she met and later married her husband, Rudolph F. Lofaro on October 1st, 1950, in Saint James Roman Catholic Church in Milton, New York. Together they had six children, the last having passed prior to birth. The couple were married 61 years until his passing in September 2011.
While living in Milton, Grace was a loving mother and housewife as her children grew up. Overtime she had two jobs she enjoyed, one in a sewing factory, the other in an office setting. Grace had many other interests as well. She enjoyed crafting, sewing and crocheting, in fact she had a small army of dolls who were never lacking for fashionable outfits! She volunteered regularly on election days at the Milton polls and enjoyed many social opportunities, one of which was the “coffee hour” at Saint James Parish, with the other church volunteers. Fond friendships were created among the volunteers and their priest. Grace attended mass daily and weekly and inspired many with her deep faith and love of Jesus.
Grace took adult education classes in ceramics, and loved it so much, it grew into a small business where she taught classes, ran a retail store and made custom pieces. She was truly gifted. Music was also a great love of hers, and you could always find it on in her home and shop! Grace had varied musical interests ranging from Italian opera, Frank Sinatra, Johny Cash and the oldies stations! She was also an avid watcher of American Band Stand.
In January of 2004, Grace and Rudy moved to Greenville, South Carolina, and after Rudy’s passing Grace moved in with her eldest daughter and husband where she lived out the remainder of her years.
Grace is predeceased by her parents Joseph and Angela Bastardi, her youngest child, Mia and her husband Rudy. She is survived by her large (and blessed by her) family; Daughters, Linda Price and husband Gary of Greenville, South Carolina, Diane Wasney and husband Jack of Palm Coast, Florida, and Valorie Lofaro of Richmond, Virginia, and sons Rudy Lofaro Jr and wife Sue of Pleasant Valley, New York and Joe Lofaro and wife Maureen of Marlboro, New York. Nine grandchildren; Chris Mikula, Alicia Lofaro, Justin Wasney and fiancee Heather, Ryan Lofaro and wife Sarah, Nicole Lofaro, Kaitlynd Mahusky and husband Greg, Joe Lofaro II and fiancée Hope, Emily Lofaro, Sam Lofaro and six great-grandchildren Charlotte, Madilyn, Angelina, Nathaniel, Claire and Malachi.
A future celebration of life for both Grace and Rudy Lofaro will be held in New York, sometime in the spring of 2025. In Lieu of flowers please send donations to Catholic Charities.