Janet Gaffney Curasi, 80, of Newberry, passed away peacefully at her home on August 19, 2012 after a courageous battle against cancer. Janet grew up as the youngest of three sisters in Long Island, New York. She became a flight attendant on Eastern Airlines in 1954 which led her to Miami, Fl. There, she met and married Anthony Curasi and raised two children, Paul and Lori in Hialeah. She followed her children to Gainesville in 1980 and spent the next 32 years devoted to them and everything related to UF and Gator sports. Her two sisters moved to Newberry with her in 1989 where they lived side by side. Janet spent 17 years as an Administrative Assistant in the University of Florida Medical School and took great pride in her career and the reputation for excellence that she earned while there. She retired in 1997 and enjoyed her remaining years vacationing and celebrating special occasions with her children and extended family.
Preceding her in death are her two sisters, Florence Fraser and Edna Gaffney. She is survived by children Paul A. Curasi (Donna) of Orlando, and Lori A. Stephan of Newberry , grandchildren Jessica Curasi, Nicholas Curasi, Lindsay Stephan, and John Stephan.
Her family will celebrate her life in a private ceremony in Ponce Inlet, where Janet enjoyed time with her family over the last few years reflecting on a life well lived. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project.
Goodnight darling friend. My time with you was brief, but honest and loving.
Lori, Paul, Donna, I grieve with you. Always, Meg and John: loved her too, encouraged our friendship.
Thank you, Meg. You were her dearest friend and I know she cherished her relationship with you and John. Your support and regular visits during her final days meant the world to us and, I am sure, to her as well.
My fondest memories of my childhood were the times we spent playing football for Palm Springs Optomist. We were just playing a game but some of the fans( our parents) sometimes went nuts. The Curasi’s, the Schultz’s, the Bolick’s , the Gandolf’s,the Mahalco’s.What a blast watching them watch us. Your mom was one of a kind and will most certainly be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Paul and Lori from Randy Bolick and Susie (Bolick) Funderburk.
Lori, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your brother at this difficult time. Always look forward to uour visit when you both came to Publix. She was a very special lady. Hard to believe she is gone. Will continue to pray for you and your family. She is in God’s hands now. God Bless you, Nancy