Lora Ellen Kurtz of Bridgehampton died peacefully at home on April 3 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 87.
Born in Brooklyn in 1933, Ms. Kurtz was a person of diverse talent and interests, according to her family.
She was a proud graduate of Midwood High School and Brooklyn College. In her early 20s, she traveled throughout Europe, returning to Paris for an extended visit with relatives.
She remained an avid traveler throughout her life, exploring Europe, Asia and South and Central America with her husband and their friends.
In the 1970s, she was committed to caring for her family and her home while at the same time earning two graduate degrees, the first from Lehman College of the City University of New York, the second from Pace University. Upon completion of her graduate education, she pursued her passion with a 20-year career working with youth and at-risk women.
After her retirement from Westchester County, she enjoyed museums, theater, ballet and chamber and orchestral music in New York City.
As a weekend, and then full-time resident of Bridgehampton, she thrilled in the extensive cultural offerings and natural gifts of the East End of Long Island. She was a regular patron of the Hamptons Library in Bridgehampton and Rogers Memorial Library in Southampton.
Throughout her life, Ms. Kurtz exuded an impeccable sense of style and décor, her family said. Visitors recall that there was never an object out of place in her home and that she always dressed with a keen sense of fashion, according to her family. She was an extremely dignified and beautiful woman, they said.
She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Nat Kurtz, who her family noted worked tirelessly over the last nine years, ensuring that she could remain comfortable in her own home and cognizant of her family and friends. She is also survived by her daughter, Amy Kurtz, of Bridgehampton, her daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn Kurtz and Dr. Gary Steinberg of New York and Chicago; and her grandchildren, Julia Steinberg of Cambridge, Massachusetts and Emily Steinberg of Chicago
Donations may be made the Alzheimer’s Association in her honor.