OBITUARIES

COZAD, Elisabeth Delean

Elisabeth Delean Cozad was born on July 14, 1927 in Washington DC and passed away at her home in Coral Gables on September 21, 2018. Elisabeth was predeceased by her parents, Cesar and Germaine Delean, sister Odette Hopkins, brother John Delean, and her husband Richard W. Cozad. Elisabeth is survived by her seven children, Christine Bez (Valter), Katherine Freedman (Lawrence), Richard (Kate), Gregory (Ana), Christopher (Tracy), Bartholomew (Peggy), and Timothy (Christy) Cozad as well as fifteen grandchildren and one great grandchild. Elisabeth was a lifelong member of The Villagers, Miami Pioneers Historical Society, and Coconut Grove Women’s Club. Elisabeth was a woman with infinite patience as displayed by successfully raising seven children, five of them boys, with her husband Richard. Elisabeth had a big heart; she never met a stray dog or person she did not want to take in and care for. Above all, she was a wonderful and loving mother, grandmother and friend; she will be profoundly missed. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at Saint Augustine Church, 1400 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, Florida on Monday, October 1, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Final internment will be at Arlington National Cemetery with her beloved husband at a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations in Elisabeth’s memory can be made to the Best Friends Animal Society at www.bestfriends.org.

KAHN, Julie

Age 56, of Boynton Beach, passed away Sept. 24, 2018. Beth Israel Memorial Chapel, Delray Beach, FL.

LAROCCA, Patricia McNally

Patricia McNally Larocca (also known fondly as "Punky") entered eternal life on Monday, September 10, 2018. She was born Patricia Jean Mahoney on July 5, 1928 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, one of seven children born to the late C.L. and Ruth (Minock) Mahoney. She is survived by her three children, Maureen McNally Boston, David Kieran McNally, and Patrick Stephen McNally (Francine). She is re-united in heaven with her husbands George Ligouri McNally and Arthur George Larocca, and her daughter Kathleen McNally Calvey (Thomas). The matriarch of a big Irish family, her spirit lives on in her eleven grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. Punky lived an extraordinary life during her 90 years on Earth, graduating from Nazareth High School in 1946. Never to be outdone, she returned to college and graduated with honors from Western Michigan University in 1965. Punky was also a great athlete, winning the All City Golf Championship in Kalamazoo, the Kalamazoo Country Club Golf Championship, and the Atlantis Golf Club Championship multiple times. In fact, she loved the thrill of competition, and was a fierce bridge player up until her last days of life. Punky was loved for her quick wit, outspoken opinions, and unconditional generosity. And although she loved to travel and to paint far-off places, she was happiest at home with her family around her, wearing a touch of Giorgio perfume. Practically perfect Punky. Punky will be greatly missed; however, let’s celebrate her long, happy life that continues in heaven. A memorial will be held in her honor on Monday, October 1, 2018 at 11:00AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Lantana, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

NEWTON, John Elvis

Age 54, of Lake Worth, passed away Sept. 28, 2018. Scobee-Combs-Bowden Funeral Home & Crematory, Boynton Beach.

PINSKY, Sol

Age 89, of Boynton Beach, passed away Sept. 27, 2018. Service Sept. 30. Beth Israel Memorial Chapel, Boynton Beach, FL.

PRICE, Myrna

Age 85, of Delray Beach, passed away Sept. 28, 2018. Beth Israel Memorial Chapel, Delray Beach, FL.

SCHWARTZ, Arthur H.

Age 78, of Boynton Beach, passed away Sept. 27, 2018. All County Funeral Home & Crematory, Lake Worth, FL.

WIITA, LuAnn

LuAnn Wiita, of Tequesta, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 surrounded by her family. She was born in Kokomo, Indiana on October 21, 1938 to Ledger and Hilda Shank. She graduated from Kokomo High School in 1956 and continued to be socially active with many of her girlfriends, traveling for reunions back to Indiana every five years for their gatherings. Leaving Indiana after high school, she attended the University of Miami in Miami, Florida and joined the Tri Delta sorority, which is how she met the love of her life, Buzz, at a fraternity sorority function. Soon after meeting they married in 1958. At age 19 how could she resist Buzz, a novice pilot at the time, who flew her home to Kokomo during a college break. In route they ran into a storm where Buzz asked her if she could look for railroad tracks as a navigational guide. Ever since then they have been navigating through life as a team, and recently celebrated 60 wonderful years together. In the early years of their marriage, she worked as an executive manager to support Buzz’s medical schooling. During medical school they stared a family, giving birth to Brian and Christopher. Following Buzz’s graduation, they moved to Travis Air Force Base in California for Buzz’s enlistment where they spent five years and added a third boy, Gregory, to their growing family. LuAnn enjoyed being a stay at home parent during this time with her young children. When Greg was just 2 days old the family moved back to the Miami area settling on Key Biscayne so Buzz could complete his residency. While in Miami they added another son, Bruce, to their growing brood that included several dogs, puppies, rabbits and turtles. In 1973 the family moved to Jupiter where Buzz started his urology practice with his navigational partner, LuAnn, who successfully managed the office while raising four rambunctious boys, and seamlessly running a busy household full of pets and a constant revolving door of her boy’s school friends. Her kitchen was always open to whomever came home with the boys offering home cooked meals served with lots of love and fun moments at the Wiita house! She was known for throwing fabulous parties and ensuring all guests felt welcomed and had a great time. She had deep faith in the Lord and prayed daily. LuAnn is survived by her loving husband Buzz, her children Brian, Gregory (Charlene), and Bruce and her grandchildren Dalton, Barrett, Gavin, Channing (Sebastian) Samantha and Nicholas. She was predeceased by her parents, her son Christopher, and her brother Dick Shank. A special thank you to Edie, Mary Beth and Joan for your support. A Visitation will be held at the Taylor Modeen Funeral Home in Jupiter from 4:00PM to 6:00PM on Saturday, September 29, 2018. There will be a Prayer Service at 6:00PM conducted by Dave Thomas. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Treasure Coast Hospice or Friends of Jupiter Beach.