Florence Brennan Ricciuti

Florence B. Ricciuti, 90, of 308 Winthrop Drive, Ithaca, died Tuesday May 26, 2015 at Cayuga Medical Center. She was born on February 22, 1925 in Orange, NJ, daughter of the late Judge Daniel J. and Florence Healy Brennan and was the widow of Henry N. Ricciuti who died March 14, 2011.

Florence served as Executive Director of the Alcoholism Council of Tompkins County from 1977-1991. She was Central NY Certified Alcoholism Councilor of the year in 1991. After her retirement, she ran a solo private counseling practice. Prior to her work at the Alcoholism Council, Florence was Alcohol Program Coordinator at the Tompkins County Mental Health Department and served as a lecturer in the department of psychology at Cornell University. She also worked as a research assistant in the Departments of Education and Psychology at Cornell from 1958-1971. Florence earned an A.B., cum laude from Chestnut Hill College in 1946 and a Ph.D. in psychology from Fordham University in 1952. Florence was an avid supporter of the Cornell basketball and polo programs, and loved the outdoors, the New York Yankees, and her family. She was an unapologetic advocate for women's rights. Her independent spirit, giving nature, and sense of humor will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Florence is survived by her sons, James R. (Janet) Ricciuti and Thomas B. Ricciuti; daughters, Anne E. (Ty Hardaway) Ricciuti and Mary F. Ricciuti; grandchildren, Michael G. and Paul G. Ricciuti and Brennan Mae Hardaway. In addition to her parents and husband, Florence was also predeceased by her brother, Daniel Brennan and sister, Patricia Hawkins.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 29, 2015 at 11 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church. Private interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Florence's memory can be made to The Alcoholism and Drug Council of Tompkins County, Loaves and Fishes of Tompkins County, or Tioga County Rural Ministries. Bangs Funeral is assisting the family.