Remembering Laura Florio Luzzi
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by Judy McGowan, USA Artistic Swimming Foundation
Laura Florio Luzzi lost her 10-year battle with lung cancer on September 17th with her family at her side.
Laura was a lifelong Hamden resident, graduating from Hamden High School and continuing on to receive her degree from Southern CT State University. She was also an original Hamden Heronette, joining the team in 1970. She and her sister, Brenda, paired for many duets and placed second at the USA National Championships in 1979. Laura also finished second in the solo event. In 1979, Laura was a member of the first USA National Team. That team won the gold medal at the Pan American Championships in Puerto Rico. Had the sport been included in the Olympic Games at that time, Laura certainly would have made an appearance there. The 1979 national team was inducted into the United States Synchronized Swimming (Artistic Swimming) Hall of Fame in 2019.
Her coach, Linda Witter, said “Laura and Brenda were amazing duet partners to coach and watch. They were also amazing sisters and best friends throughout her life.”
Fellow teammate Karen Callaghan (Rosolowski) said “It was an honor to swim with Laura. She was so dedicated to the sport and a very caring teammate.”
"She fought a lengthy, difficult, and exhausting battle with cancer for the last nine years. But not once did she ever waver. Laura never let her diagnosis define her and she lived her life on her terms; she was so persistent she continued to work full-time until her passing. She was full of positivity and optimism, and always saw the good in people. She was a mentor and a friend to so many, blessing us all along the way. She battled with dignity and grace, our real-life superhero. Now may she rest in eternal peace," Her family said of her passing.
In addition to her family, Laura will be missed by the many organizations she belonged to in her community. Laura will also be missed by her artistic swimming family. May she rest in peace.
Laura was a lifelong Hamden resident, graduating from Hamden High School and continuing on to receive her degree from Southern CT State University. She was also an original Hamden Heronette, joining the team in 1970. She and her sister, Brenda, paired for many duets and placed second at the USA National Championships in 1979. Laura also finished second in the solo event. In 1979, Laura was a member of the first USA National Team. That team won the gold medal at the Pan American Championships in Puerto Rico. Had the sport been included in the Olympic Games at that time, Laura certainly would have made an appearance there. The 1979 national team was inducted into the United States Synchronized Swimming (Artistic Swimming) Hall of Fame in 2019.
Her coach, Linda Witter, said “Laura and Brenda were amazing duet partners to coach and watch. They were also amazing sisters and best friends throughout her life.”
Fellow teammate Karen Callaghan (Rosolowski) said “It was an honor to swim with Laura. She was so dedicated to the sport and a very caring teammate.”
"She fought a lengthy, difficult, and exhausting battle with cancer for the last nine years. But not once did she ever waver. Laura never let her diagnosis define her and she lived her life on her terms; she was so persistent she continued to work full-time until her passing. She was full of positivity and optimism, and always saw the good in people. She was a mentor and a friend to so many, blessing us all along the way. She battled with dignity and grace, our real-life superhero. Now may she rest in eternal peace," Her family said of her passing.
In addition to her family, Laura will be missed by the many organizations she belonged to in her community. Laura will also be missed by her artistic swimming family. May she rest in peace.
