Mary Elizabeth "Liz" Colucci

Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Colucci died on November 6, 2022 at her home in Ithaca, New York.  Liz is survived by her husband of 43 years Stephen “Steve”, sons David and Gregory (Sophia), granddaughter Ceres Elizabeth, brothers Theodore (Cynthia), William (Pamela) and James (Sammy), parents-in-law Donald and Marilyn Colucci, several brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends.  Liz was predeceased by her parents Theodore and Mary Vogle.

Liz was born on May 21, 1955 in Rochester, New York and spent most of her youth in the Rochester suburb of Pittsford.  After graduation from Our Lady of Mercy High School in Rochester, she attended the State University of New York at Albany (now the University at Albany) where she earned a B.A. in French and Russian languages.  A highlight of her undergraduate career was spending a study year abroad in Nice, France.

Following college graduation, Liz worked for the French export company Tradimpex at the original World Trade Center in New York City.  She then returned to Albany to earn a M.S. in Accounting.  After completing their graduate studies, Liz and Steve moved to Charlottesville, Virginia where she worked as a Certified Public Accountant for Salley, Weisinger and Company.

Following a sabbatical year in Boulder, Colorado, Liz and Steve settled in Ithaca, their home for the past 33 years.  Liz worked as a financial administrator for Cornell University, first in its Office of Information Technologies and later in the Dean of Students Office where she became an Associate Dean of Students.  In 2010, Liz was honored with Cornell’s prestigious George Peters Award, annually given to a staff member for exemplary service. She was especially proud of that accomplishment.  Liz retired from Cornell in 2014.

Liz was an active volunteer in the Ithaca community.  Over the years, she contributed her time and talents to the Caroline After School Program, Boy Scouts of America Troop 55, St. Catherine of Siena Church, the Women’s Community Building (now the City Federation of Women’s Organizations), One World Market (formerly Ten Thousand Villages), and Lifelong in Tompkins County. 

Outside of work and volunteer activities, Liz was an excellent cook and enjoyed hosting dinner parties and luncheons in her home.  She enjoyed outdoor activities of all kinds in all seasons:  gardening, long walks and hikes, bicycle rides, cross-country skiing, kayaking, and even back-country canoe camping.

 A Memorial Mass will be celebrated for Liz at 11 AM on Friday, November 18 at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Ithaca.  Contributions in Liz’s memory may be made to Hospicare of Tompkins County, the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes, or the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.