Elizabeth Holly Mortensen
formerly of Uniontown
Elizabeth “Liz” Holly Mortensen, 67, of Brooklyn, N.Y., an artist of lifelong standing and near 30-year Fashion Institute of Technology coordinator for disabled student services, as well as two time union vice president for staff, passed away early Sunday, May 5, 2024, at NYP Brooklyn Methodist Hospital.
She was the wife of Arthur Mortensen, with whom she would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on October 27, 2024. Her devoted husband, Arthur was with her until the end.
She was born in Uniontown, a daughter of the late Thomas F. and Mary Jo Hribar Holly.
Liz was a graduate of Penn State University and the Parson’s School of Design, where she received her Master of Fine Arts.
Liz was a devout Catholic and member of St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Brooklyn, who prayed the rosary daily and had incredible faith. She sang in St. Mary’s choir until surgery damaged her vocal cords.
A notable accomplishment was her 2002 staging of a conference on Universal Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology, a three-day conference and show of clothing, footwear, tabletop and hardware that could be used by anyone, including the disabled.
Over decades, she mentored and managed hundreds of disabled FIT students each year until chronic illness forced her into retirement in 2013.
As a painter, she had six solo shows and a dozen group shows in Manhattan and Brooklyn. She painted both figurative and abstract work, with an astonishing feel for color.
After her retirement from FIT, despite increasing disability, including the loss of the use of her legs and left hand, Liz Holly (her artist’s name) continued to paint. Her husband or aide would set her up each morning with an easel and paint (mostly water colors). She even had one last show in 2015, done in a neighborhood gallery space, in which she sold nearly 25 pieces on opening night.
She and her husband, Arthur, refused to let MS steal her life, but a 30-year struggle wore her down. The immediate cause of death was a devastating sepsis, followed by cardiac arrest. The long-term cause: the consequences of her struggle with Multiple Sclerosis.
Surviving, in addition to her husband, is her sister, Dolores “Dolly” (Greg) Workman of Mountville; niece, Holly D. Workman of Columbia, S.C. (fiancee of Dr. Bryan Norton of Stanford, Calif.); nephew, Reilly T. Workman of Columbia, Mo.; along with several aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was preceded in death by one nephew, Prescott G. Workman.
Liz was a very proud aunt, following the careers of her niece and nephew with nightly phone calls to her sister, Dolly, who loved her very much. She will be missed.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, 2024 in Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 409 Cherry Street, Columbia, PA, with the Rev. Daniel C. Mitzel as celebrant. Final Commendation and Farewell will be in Mountville Cemetery.
Friends may call for a viewing from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2024 in the WORKMAN FUNERAL HOMES, INC., 114 West Main Street, Mountville, PA, with recitation of the Rosary at 7:30 p.m.
To send a condolence to the family, visit Workmanfuneralhomes.com