Elita M. Shapiro, a resident of Kauneonga Lake, NY passed away on May 16, 2025 at her daughter’s home in South Florida. She was 80 years old. The daughter of Verne and Leota McKinstry Lougee, Elita was born on May 31, 1944.

Elita was trained as a Registered Nurse at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London, CT.  After marrying her husband, Max, they moved together to Hawaii with the Navy, and she became a surgical nurse at Queen’s Hospital in Honolulu. After Max’s retirement from the Navy, the couple moved to Sullivan County, where Elita became a labor and delivery nurse at the Monticello Hospital. After some time, she left the workforce to raise her four children. She later returned to nursing part time, at the medical office of Dr. Joy Mendelsohn in White Lake. Elita also spent 20 years as the clerk of the Bethel Justice Court.

Elita is survived by her husband Max, sons Joel (Susan) of Clarks Summit, PA, Michael (Linda) of Kings Park, NY, and Stephan (Jennifer) of Riverdale, MD, and her daughter Leah of Cooper City, FL. Elita also leaves her eight grandchildren, Aaron (Nicole), Noah, Justin, Jordan, and Sadie Shapiro, and Griffin, Lucas, and Ethan Hemingway, as well as her adored great-grandson, Elliot Shapiro. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Duane and Randy Lougee of Norfolk, VA.

Elita was predeceased by her brothers Verne Lougee and Mahlon Lougee.

A graveside service was held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 12:30pm at the Congregation Temple Beth El Cemetery, Route 17B, White Lake, NY. 

Memorial contributions in Elita’s name may be made to Congregation Temple Beth El, Kauneonga Lake, NY.

Arrangements are honorably entrusted to the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home –  845-794-7474 or www.josephngarlickfuneralhome.com/.