Obituary of Celeste Coruzzi

Dear David, Giovanna, Lucia, Olivia, Gloria and Laura. So sorry to hear of the loss of the wonderful Celeste. I remember when we first met the Coruzzi's. Flying over to celebrate the wedding of Gloria and Doug. We were in awe of how wonderful the Corruzi family was! Celeste, Laura, partners, and all of the family were so welcoming. Subsequent visits to New York proved that these mighty women were a force to be reckoned with. I cannot imagine how difficult this time is for you all, including the extended family, as I know that you are all very close. Sending my deepest sympathy. May Celeste rest in peace.

I have met Celeste the first time in 1977 during my postdoctoral period in New York. I knew her through Gloria who was at that time a student in the same lab I was working. I was an Italian coming from Rome and of course Gloria’s family was very curious to know me. So, I was invited for dinner at Grand Street where I met the entire Coruzzi’s family. Grandma, Lucy, Laura and Celeste. Was a great dinner with all traditional Italian food prepared on purpose for the Italian visitors. After dinner and a lot of chat about Italy and the Italian traditions the three sisters played and singed for us, Gloria at the piano, Laura at the violin and Celeste the singer. They were really good and later I had the pleasure to hear again all of them playing music. In 1980 Gloria and Celeste came to visit me in Rome. Two nice young girls around the city arose a lot of interest among the young Italian boys. I think that both enjoyed such enthusiasm. They could manage to go around by themselves using the Italian learned from Grandma. Wasn’t exactly the Italian language spoken in modern time but sufficient to go any place they wanted to visit. Later, I visited several time NY and met on several occasions Dave, Douglas and Bob. One evening we went all together to listen Celeste singing with her Satin Dolls group in some NY club. It was really a wonderful evening with fantastic country music. A decade later with Giovanna, my wife, and two daughters, Viola and Martina, we went for a sabbatical leave in NY hosted by NYU in Gloria’s department. Since then, my family, together with Gloria’s, Laura’s and Celeste’s family got much closer strengthening our friendship. We went to NY many times the next years and every time the three Coruzzi sisters’ family hosted us with love and care. Same we did when they were coming to Rome. Meantime Aidan, Eva, Giovanna, Lucia and Olivia were born, and our daughters Viola and Martina become friends with all of them. We visited them in Upstate NY in their resort during their vacation time. That was an unforgettable time with all the kids in the pool, at the lake and as usual around a table full of good food. The Christmas and summer weekends spent in the countryside with the 4 families and grandmother Lucy remain for us indelible moments of our life that built and give life to powerful friendships which, despite the distance, have grown over time. Celeste and Dave were always the heart of everything. Our daughter Viola and Martina were almost all the time in Celeste and Dave house attracted by the care, love and sweet attention Celeste always given to them. This over time had built a strong bound among them. Celeste and Dave become their idol, the example of how a family must live. They are missing Celeste as an essential component of their own family. Celeste loved Italy and Rome over the years when they came on holiday, they stopped at our place for the twins' birthday.  How wonderful it was! we couldn't wait to celebrate together!  All this allowed us to see the birth and growth of the strongest, lightest and most powerful family we have ever seen.  Celeste was Dave's sweetness and pure strength.  Giovanna, Lucia and Olivia, thanks to their love and union, have become the wonderful women we see and love. Dear Celeste, it was a gift to be your friends.

Seanie and I first met Celeste and Dave when they came to visit Gloria and Douglas at their Summer home in Bantry Bay. This beautiful, ever- smiling girl and her handsome beau left a lasting impression. Later, in NY we met again when, on a Thanksgiving weekend, we were fortunate to be part of a Coruzzi family celebration in Dave and Celeste’s apartment. Lovely memory. .. Over the years, when Celeste, Dave and their beautiful daughters came to stay with Gloria and Douglas , they came to our home, filling it with laughter, fun, - and music. Those visits were precious then, and they are very, very, treasured now…. The love between Celeste and Dave was beautiful to see- they seemed to have remained forever suspended in the youthful joy of those early years together - and the coming of their daughters only strengthened that love. I have rarely witnessed anything like the bond of the Coruzzi sisters. It was devoted, all- caring, all- loving. My darling friend Gloria, and you Laura, have each lost one third of your hearts with Celeste’s passing. Our sorrow is profound as we think of you and your daughters Dave,- and Doug, Bob, the extended family, our thoughts are truly with you all. Seanie and Mairead Barry Bantry Bay Ireland.