Elizabeth Marie (Hickey) Mollica

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Elizabeth Marie Mollica on April 15, 2025. Born in Middletown, NY on October 7, 1934, to Philip and Elizabeth (Laughlin) Hickey, Liz grew up in Troy, Hudson, and Binghamton before her family settled in Syracuse in 1949. A graduate of Eastwood High School, Liz went on to earn a BS in Microbiology from Syracuse University where she was a member of Theta Phi Alpha Sorority. While at SU a friend set her up on a blind date with Tony Mollica. It was the beginning of a long and blessed partnership. They married in 1958 and spent the next 66 years by each other’s side. Following graduation Liz worked at Bristol Laboratories before finding what would become her life’s mission of raising her three children while keeping busy with sewing, knitting, needlework, and gardening. She was an accomplished seamstress and a longtime member of the Home Garden Club. She and Tony were an adventurous pair. Among their many early escapades were ski trips to Mt Tremblant, sailboat races, and summers living on board the After All cruiser. With Liz as crew and two children on board, they won the 1963 National Tallstar Sailing Championship. Their boating adventures continued for the next sixty years on Oneida Lake, the Rideau Canal, and the St. Lawrence River. In 1976 Liz and Tony bought their beloved Cherry Island cottage where Liz would host family and friends for the next 45 years. Liz cherished being Nana and Nonnie to her ten grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren and was happiest when surrounded by her growing family. She is predeceased by her parents and brother Peter and survived by her husband Tony, children: Mary (Jack) McAndrew, Tony (Jeanne), Margaret (Chris) Byrnes; grandchildren: Lisa (Adam), TJ (Beth), Lizzie, Jack (Beth), Kate (Tobe), Tommy, Ryan (Kylie), Meghan, Matthew, and Livvy; great-grandchildren: Evie Grace, Tucker, Crew, Maylee, and Jett and many nieces and nephews. Liz’s family gratefully acknowledges all the caregivers and therapists who have shown great compassion in caring for Liz the past several years. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 10:45 am - 11:45 am at Holy Cross Church, DeWitt, followed by a funeral Mass in celebration of Elizabeth’s life at noon at the church, 4112 E. Genesee St., DeWitt, NY. She will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery, DeWitt. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in memory of Liz to Holy Cross Church, DeWitt or Empower Parkinson’s www.empowerparkinson.org/donate.

Elizabeth Marie (Hickey) Mollica

October 7, 1934 - April 15, 2025