Juliet C. Lanza, 66, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Yale New Haven Hospital.
Born on April 8, 1959, in Liberty, New York, Schatzie was the beloved daughter of James S. and Jean Curry, and the cherished sister of the late Jimmy Curry. Known affectionately as “Schatzie” to all who loved her, she carried a warmth and quiet strength that touched every part of her life.
Schatzie is survived by her loving husband, Rich; her devoted sons, Anthony (Amanda), Sean (Carol), and Dominick (Jen); and her adored grandchildren, Madeline, Grace, and an eagerly awaited grandson.
For 47 years, she was married to the love of her life, Rich Lanza. Their adventure began in Livingston Manor, New York, where Rich first fell for her beautiful blue eyes—and where she was famously warned not to “kiss the pizza cook.” That warning didn’t stick, and the two went on to build a life defined by devotion, laughter, and unwavering loyalty.
Schatzie and Rich shared the kind of bond that carried them through every joy and every heartbreak, always side by side. Theirs was a love built on devotion, grit, and the quiet certainty that whatever life brought, they would face it together. Even in moments of sadness, they held on to each other with a fierce tenderness, trusting that love could carry them forward. That spirit—of walking through the world hand in hand, of dreaming of brighter days, of believing in the journey—defined their life together. And though the road has shifted now, the love they built continues on, steady and unbroken, guiding Rich toward the adventures they always chased.
Schatzie dedicated 40 years in healthcare with 25 of them in the Bridgeport Hospital Emergency Department, where her compassion, resilience, and commitment to caring for others left a lasting impact on colleagues and patients alike. Even in her passing, she continued to give selflessly, saving lives through organ donation & research—a final act that reflected the generosity and grace with which she lived.
She found joy in life’s simple pleasures: a good book, a trip to Target (especially when it meant spoiling her grandchildren), a cold Diet Dr. Pepper, and time spent with the people she loved. She treasured her adventures with Rich, especially their time on the boat and their travels together, with Key West holding a special place in her heart.
She will be remembered for her fierce loyalty, her quiet strength, her boundless love for her family, and the kindness she offered so freely. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched—and in the lives she helped save. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
In honor of Schatzie’s lifelong support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name. Her donation page can be found at: https://bit.ly/schatzielanza
Born on April 8, 1959, in Liberty, New York, Schatzie was the beloved daughter of James S. and Jean Curry, and the cherished sister of the late Jimmy Curry. Known affectionately as “Schatzie” to all who loved her, she carried a warmth and quiet strength that touched every part of her life.
Schatzie is survived by her loving husband, Rich; her devoted sons, Anthony (Amanda), Sean (Carol), and Dominick (Jen); and her adored grandchildren, Madeline, Grace, and an eagerly awaited grandson.
For 47 years, she was married to the love of her life, Rich Lanza. Their adventure began in Livingston Manor, New York, where Rich first fell for her beautiful blue eyes—and where she was famously warned not to “kiss the pizza cook.” That warning didn’t stick, and the two went on to build a life defined by devotion, laughter, and unwavering loyalty.
Schatzie and Rich shared the kind of bond that carried them through every joy and every heartbreak, always side by side. Theirs was a love built on devotion, grit, and the quiet certainty that whatever life brought, they would face it together. Even in moments of sadness, they held on to each other with a fierce tenderness, trusting that love could carry them forward. That spirit—of walking through the world hand in hand, of dreaming of brighter days, of believing in the journey—defined their life together. And though the road has shifted now, the love they built continues on, steady and unbroken, guiding Rich toward the adventures they always chased.
Schatzie dedicated 40 years in healthcare with 25 of them in the Bridgeport Hospital Emergency Department, where her compassion, resilience, and commitment to caring for others left a lasting impact on colleagues and patients alike. Even in her passing, she continued to give selflessly, saving lives through organ donation & research—a final act that reflected the generosity and grace with which she lived.
She found joy in life’s simple pleasures: a good book, a trip to Target (especially when it meant spoiling her grandchildren), a cold Diet Dr. Pepper, and time spent with the people she loved. She treasured her adventures with Rich, especially their time on the boat and their travels together, with Key West holding a special place in her heart.
She will be remembered for her fierce loyalty, her quiet strength, her boundless love for her family, and the kindness she offered so freely. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched—and in the lives she helped save. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
In honor of Schatzie’s lifelong support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name. Her donation page can be found at: https://bit.ly/schatzielanza
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