Jane Loizou

March 13, 1925 ~ February 5, 2022
Jane Loizou died quietly in her sleep at home in the early hours of February 5. Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, she was brought up in the thriving Greek section of Washington, DC near Petworth. She attended The George Washington University and McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College), and taught elementary school in Chevy Chase, Maryland. She and her husband James founded the James School of Dance which is still educating generations of students. Mrs. Loizou was notably one of the first educators to offer dance to the intellectually challenged children of Northern Virginia. Following this success, she was invited to be a member of the President’s Committee on Employment of the Handicapped from 1969-1972 and was an advocate for improving accessibility such as providing for wheelchair ramps in public spaces. She was also a founding member of St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church of Northern Virginia and was the first president of the Ladies Auxiliary.
In addition to being an educator, she was a writer and activist. She was founding editor of The Cyprus Observer, an international publication devoted to communicating the complicated geo-political issues on the island of Cyprus from 1983-1993. She was also an active member and fundraiser for the Friends of Cyprus.
In her retirement, Mrs. Loizou enjoyed raising orchids, painting, and visiting her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, James, and is survived by her four children Maria Jane, Dean (Lia) Jamie (Denise), Ellen (William Bailes), 9 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Family and Friends Time will be held at Money & King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Avenue West, Vienna, VA on Thursday February 10 between 6 and 8pm. Funeral services will be held at Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, 3149 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, Virginia at 11am on Friday, February 11. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Doctors Without Borders, online at donations@newyork.msf.org or 212-763-5779.
In addition to being an educator, she was a writer and activist. She was founding editor of The Cyprus Observer, an international publication devoted to communicating the complicated geo-political issues on the island of Cyprus from 1983-1993. She was also an active member and fundraiser for the Friends of Cyprus.
In her retirement, Mrs. Loizou enjoyed raising orchids, painting, and visiting her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, James, and is survived by her four children Maria Jane, Dean (Lia) Jamie (Denise), Ellen (William Bailes), 9 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Family and Friends Time will be held at Money & King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Avenue West, Vienna, VA on Thursday February 10 between 6 and 8pm. Funeral services will be held at Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, 3149 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, Virginia at 11am on Friday, February 11. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Doctors Without Borders, online at donations@newyork.msf.org or 212-763-5779.
RIP Jane.
Your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Yia Yia was a beautiful person! Love, Meister Family
Ellen and Bucky and your entire family, we are so very sorry for your loss. We send our love and prayers at this difficult time. I will always remember your Mom’s sweet smile and great sense of humor. Was honored to be considered her Irish daughter. Hugs, Karen and Paul McFarlane
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When I think about Jane, I remember how attentive she was and how valued she made me feel. Warm, caring, and genuine, she was perceptive and insightful. I loved having heart-to-heart talks with her, and although I don’t remember everything we discussed, I remember the wonderful bond I felt with her. She took me to the Capitol Building (my very first visit there), and when I was engaged, she accompanied me to Woodward & Lothrop to help me pick the crystal to go with my china pattern. Jane had impeccable taste and an artistic eye. Her interior decorating was elegant, and her style of dress was classic and classy. At the same time, she was a woman of substance, sensitivity, and depth–there was incredible strength beneath the beauty. She made a difference in my life, and I will always love and remember her. May she rest in peace. Hugs and condolences to her large and loving family, Cheryl