Elizabeth Kuzia Obituary

Mrs. Elizabeth Marie (Nedder) Kuzia, 84, of Leesburg, Virginia, passed away on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at the Loudoun Inova Hospital in Lansdowne, Virginia. Holding her hands at her bedside was her devoted husband of 62 years, Stanley J. Kuzia, Sr.

Elizabeth was born on July 2, 1939 in Sydney, Nova Scotia. As the first born daughter of the late Ernest and Mary (Khattar) Nedder, Liz was a true gift from God for her parents and took on the role of a guardian angel in her family. She grew up in the company of her six younger siblings who naturally turned to her for personal guidance as the family matured. She represented to them the perfect example of excellent character, strict moral standards, and commitment to her Lebanese family traditions. She was a determined scholar and a leader in all areas of her life.

While attending Cardinal Cushing Central High School, Elizabeth and her younger sister Sylvia were standout members of the school's debate and public speaking team, which fostered in her a lifelong love of oratory, poetry, and the power of words. Liz was awarded a full scholarship to Suffolk University Law School for outstanding achievements in area college level debates; however, she decided to take a scientific path instead. In 1960, Elizabeth graduated with high honors from St. Francis Xavier University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Through the premedical program, her senior thesis involved genetics research related to supernumerary kidneys. Her work provided the data for a scientific paper on this rare condition. Elizabeth had a brilliant mind.

In 1961, she married the love of her life, Stanley J. Kuzia, of the Berkshires, whom she met in her senior year at college. Liz and Stan had an enduring love and built a beautiful life together. Their journey started off in Boston, MA, and as their family grew, they moved to Manchester, NH. While raising their three children, Lisa, Stan, and Sylvia, Elizabeth also worked as a science teacher at Merrimack High School teaching high honors Biology. She was ahead of her time conducting outdoor classes, teaching her students about pollution, and involving them in science fairs with neighboring schools. Throughout her career, she influenced many young minds and was known for challenging students with her high expectations. In 1990, she retired from teaching to become a small business owner in partnership with her husband. Together they founded Stanley Solar and Stove Inc., serving the New England area for 30 years. The business allowed them to travel abroad, leading them to new people, places, and pursuits.

During their retirement years, Liz and Stan enjoyed traveling together, and were always busy with new adventures. They volunteered their time to help establish and grow Granite State Seniors, a non-profit organization that sponsored the annual NH Senior Games, a series of olympic style competitions. Liz served as Chair and Stan at her side as the Vice-Chair for many years. Together they were devoted grandparents, prioritized family, and were ever-present figures in their grandchildren's lives, with many summers spent together making cherished memories at their cottage on Merrymeeting Lake in Wolfeboro, NH.

Elizabeth was defined throughout her life by her loyalty and respect for her family. Her deep Catholic faith and reverence for the eucharist guided her moral compass. She cared profoundly for all those around her. She advocated for all whom she loved, and kept at the center of her life faith in God, devotion to family, and a firm belief that to whom much is given, much is expected. Throughout her life, she used her intelligence and capacity for kindness to touch the hearts of those she encountered.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Mary Nedder; her brothers, John and Charles Nedder; her sisters, Mary Nedder and Sylvia Tenn; her youngest daughter, Sylvia Kuzia Brennan; and her daughter-in-law, Susan Robertson Kuzia. Elizabeth is survived by her loving husband, Stan; along with her children, Lisa Kuzia Krueger and Stanley J. Kuzia, Jr.; her grandchildren, Caitlin Teo (Daryl), Virginia Crowley (Connor), Eric Krueger, Rachel Krueger, and Will Kuzia; and her great-grandchildren, Hayes Crowley, Rowan Teo, and Radford Crowley.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 2:00 PM at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church. The church is located at 101 Oakcrest Manor Dr NE, Leesburg, VA 20176. A reception for family and friends will be held at the Fellowship Hall immediately following the Mass.