Lori Harbaruk
November 12, 1964 - April 2, 2024

Lori Harbaruk was a bright and loving soul. If you were lucky enough to have met Lori,
you knew instantly that she was someone special - she had an infectious smile that she greeted
every person with, a genuine intention to get to know everyone she met, and was the most
thoughtful, giving, and loving person you would ever meet. She was a fiercely loving mother,
wife, and friend to many, and will be missed dearly. No words can capture just how special Lori
was, not only to her family but to everyone she touched.
Lori was a South Florida native, born in Fort Lauderdale, FL on November 12, 1964, to
Bob Loomis and Dee Johnson, and she was raised in Stuart, FL. Lori grew up sailing on the
water, where her love for the ocean first began, hanging out on Bathtub Beach and camping out
on the boat with her family. Lori graduated from Martin County High School and still has much
of her family in Stuart to this day.
Lori then attended Florida State University where she met her very best friend, Cathy
Flora, on their first day of college. The two were best friends and sisters from the moment they
met, friends for 42 years - which Lori loved to say was longer than most people stay married for.
The two built memories at Florida State that they would talk about for years to come. Lori
studied accounting while at Florida State, and made the fateful decision her senior year of
college to switch into elementary education, which would later inspire her life's passion for
education.
After graduating, Lori returned to South Florida in 1988 to begin her teaching career. She
returned to her love of the ocean and was an avid diver for many years. She and Cathy were still
roommates and it was through her that Lori made her way to her husband Jim.
Lori and Jim were together for over 32 years. They bonded quickly over their love of the
water, diving, and Jimmy Buffet. Their worlds expanded when each of their families became
each other's; Jim bonding quickly with the Loomis' and Lori sharing a deep love for Jim's huge
Ukrainian family, between Boynton, Buffalo and Cleveland.
The two of them planted roots in Lake Worth to raise their two daughters - Katrina and
Allie. Lori loved both girls more than they'd ever know, proud of all of their accomplishments,
and talked about them with everyone she knew. Lori was the everything mom - at every dance recital, band concert, college Mom's weekend, and would drop everything in a moment to be there for her family. She was the kind of wife and mother who was everyone's listening ear and
had a grace about her that kept everyone going. Lori had a deep passion for education, dedicating 36 years of her life to the School District of Palm Beach County as both a teacher and professional developer. Lori found immense joy in teaching kids how to read, not just for the sake of reading but to set them up for success and make a genuine impact on their futures. She worked in professional development for many
years, too, instilling this same passion and sharing her research with hundreds of teachers and principals across the school district. She returned to the classroom 2 years ago to get back to her roots and her reason for teaching. Through her career she impacted the lives of so many.
With this in mind, Jim, Katrina, and Allie are asking that in lieu of flowers or food, that you consider donating to help build a reading center at Coral Reef Elementary in her honor as well as support other local elementary schools in need. If you would like to contribute, please
donate to the information below -
Venmo: @LoriHarbarukLibraryFund
Zelle: Katrina Harbaruk; (561)234-9397

Lori Harbaruk led a life centered around kindness, positivity, and carrying each day with
a grateful heart. She always made known that even on the darkest of days, there was always
something to be grateful for. In honoring her, we ask that you carry yourself with kindness and
find the grateful in every day. Lori will be missed dearly and remembered always – Bubbles Up.

Service Information:
Lori's final wish was not for a funeral but for a big party to celebrate her life. Her
celebration will be hosted on Saturday, April 27th, from 4-7pm at Valiente Polo Farm in
Wellington, FL. We ask that you wear only bright colors to honor her bright soul, no black attire,
and that you come ready to raise a toast and share your favorite memories of her.

Date: April 27, 2024 from 4-7pm
Address: 12044 50th St. S., Wellington, FL