Beth Loftus

Beth Greeley Loftus died peacefully at home in New York City on October 11, 2022, just shy of her 87th birthday. Beth was born October 26, 1935, in Elizabeth, NJ, the fifth of Betty and James Greeley's six children. She graduated from Mount St Mary's Academy in Plainfield, New Jersey, in 1953, and Immaculata College, in Immaculata, Pennsylvania, in 1957. Beth began her career in New York City, where she worked first for the United Nations and then on the foreign news desk at The New York Times. At 30 years of age, just as she achieved her first byline in The New York Times, Beth gave up her beloved career to marry the love of her life Thomas Patrick Loftus, a widower with eight children. Beth and Tom moved to the suburbs of New Jersey and the ninth child, Elizabeth, known as Libby was born. While raising nine children, Beth returned to the workforce at Ryan Beck in West Orange, NJ selling bonds. She created joyful, funny memories for her family with summers at Orange Lawn Tennis Club in South Orange, NJ, and Menauhant Yacht Club in East Falmouth, MA, as well as ski trips from Maine to Canada. From her early days of high school basketball at "The Mount," Beth remained an active, competitive athlete on the tennis and paddle courts, teaching her children the value of fun and competition. Her insistence on education and the importance of learning was evident in daily life in the Loftus household, no television during the week, church on Sunday, and nightly family dinner that included reading an article from The New York Times. In 1985, Beth and Tom moved back to her beloved city. Beth joined Merrill Lynch as a financial advisor leading a team that included her sister Judy and daughter Lynn. She took up ballet in her 70s and invited her many grandchildren to her recital in Chelsea. At 80, Beth adopted the eight children she raised from childhood and threw an epic party for 100 close family members as she retired from Merrill Lynch after a 40-year career.

An entrepreneur when women were not thought of as entrepreneurs, a pioneer in every way, a woman of faith, and a devout catholic, Beth was a long-time member of the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola in New York City. Beth's enthusiasm and optimism never wavered, even in her last days as a loving, demanding mentor and guide to her nine children, nineteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Towards the end of her life, Beth needed assistance lovingly provided by Jen Palazzola, Pam Baran, and Cliona League. Her family is immensely grateful for their steadfast care.

Beth is survived by eight of her nine children Martin Loftus (Ann), Gary Loftus (Barbara deceased in 2020), Kathaleen Mercer, Thomas Jr. (Linda), Sean Loftus (Julie), Carol Pedersen (Benvenuto Stefan), Lynn Elliott (Jim Walker), Libby Imperio, (Michael), her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her sister Judith French and her sisters-in-law Carole Greeley and Peggy Greeley, as well as many nieces and nephews. Her husband of 32 years, Thomas P. Loftus, predeceased her in 1998, her son Patrick (Mary) in 2015 as well as her four brothers, James, Jack, Robert, and William Greeley, her sister-in-law Mary Lou Greeley and her parents. A mass of celebration will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at 11 am at Church of St. Thomas More, 65 East 89th St., New York City. The family will receive visitors at Frank Campbell Funeral Home, 1076 Madison Avenue at 81st St., New York City, on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, from 4 to 8 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Immaculata University 1145 W King Road, Immaculata, Pennsylvania 19345, or Central Park Conservancy 14 East 60th St. NYC 10022.