Obituary of Elisa Vellucci

Elisa Vellucci, 66, of Manhattan, sadly left us on December 17, 2023, after bravely battling ovarian cancer for over three and a half years.  Elisa was born on September 6, 1957 in Brooklyn to Vincent and Anna (Liosi) Vellucci.  Elisa attended Tottenville High School in Staten Island and graduated in 1975.  She went on to study at NYU and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1980 with degrees in Classics and English Literature and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.  Elisa worked as a magazine editor until various illnesses derailed her promising career.  Despite the illnesses, she was a lifelong scholar and voracious reader and was most happy surrounded by her books and a cup of tea.  

Elisa is the oldest of four siblings.  Due to the wide range of ages of her siblings (2, 6 and 14.5 years younger), she had a special unique relationship with each of them while growing up in Brooklyn and then Staten Island.   Elisa also had a special bond with her Mother Anna whom she lived with her whole life.  She cared for her Mother deeply and provided her invaluable help in her later years on Staten Island until Elisa’s health took a turn for the worse and her ability to walk became extremely compromised in 2017. 

Elisa moved into Manhattan with her Mother and spent many days going to museums, botanical gardens, hole-in-the-wall restaurants and enjoying time at Madison Square Park taking in the sights and sounds.  During her later years in Manhattan, she developed some close friendships, none more important than her friendship with Mildred.  Elisa was the Maid of Honor at Mildred’s wedding to Juan and the three of them would take many weekend adventures around New York.

Elisa had extreme love and kindness for all seven of her nieces and nephews (ages 13 to 35).  She adored her nieces and nephews and was so happy to be around them. Elisa’s trusted companion the last few years was her cat Beau who she treated as her “baby Beau”.

Elisa is survived by her Mother Anna Vellucci, her sisters Rose and Anne Marie, her brother Frank Stephen, and her nieces and nephews Anthony, Anne Marie, Vincent, Robert, Carina, Stephen, and Jack. She is predeceased by her father Vincent Vellucci.