JoAnn Catherine Loftus

JoAnn Catherine Loftus of Austin, Texas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Friday, October 22, 2010 after a 7-year battle with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a Parkinson’s Plus disease.

She was born September 5, 1943 in Kenosha Wisconsin to James and Theresa Iorio. She lived in Kenosha until early childhood when her family moved to Alamogordo, New Mexico.

In 1962, while in living in Alamogordo, she met the love of her life, Jack Loftus, a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot. They were married that same year. From 1963 to 1982, she toured the world with Jack as he was stationed overseas in Germany and Panama and numerous bases within the U.S. before finally settling down in Austin in 1982 when Jack was stationed at Bergstrom AFB. For 16 years, she cheerfully served as a secretary to the pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church where she developed deep and lasting relationships with those she touched in the community.

JoAnn lived a life wrapped in the love of her family and all those that surrounded her. She loved without reservation and gave of herself without hesitation. She cherished being around people and exuded joy and positivity. Never one to complain or speak harshly of others, she will be most remembered for her warm and beautiful smile, her deep compassion for others, her strong character, the grace by which she lived her life, and the incredible courage she displayed during her lengthy battle with MSA.

Her family cherishes the memories of her faithful love for all, which was rooted in Jesus’ faithful love for her. She would want to encourage us to use the rest of our precious lives to “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength...Love your neighbor as yourself…’” (Mark 12:30-31).

JoAnn is survived by husband Jack and son Shawn and wife Wendy of San Antonio, son Mike and wife Kim of Allen; grandchildren Meghan, John Michael, Matthew, Maggie Rose, Jake, Josh and Jackson; and brother Joe Iorio and wife Marie of Norco, California. She will be desperately missed by all of us.

She was blessed to have received kind and compassionate care from the loving staff at West Oaks Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Austin. She loved those that cared for her. The family extends their very heartfelt thanks to the staff of West Oaks.

Services will be held Monday, October 25, 2010 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Austin. A Rosary will be recited at 9:00 a.m., followed by Mass at 10:00 a.m. and concluded with a reception at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation by going to https://support.pdf.org.