Beatrice Cocuzzi Wolford

Bea taught biology at Mercy High School for over 20 years, leading the school’s science department as chair. Even after her retirement from Mercy, she continued to enrich the lives of countless students as an adjunct professor of biology at Monroe Community College’s Damon City Campus for many years. Once fully retired from teaching, Bea continued to impact those around her by volunteering with organizations too numerous to list, cheering on her grandchildren at their various sporting events, and making the world more beautiful through her watercolor paintings. And since 1993 until just last year, Bea served as the severely underpaid chief financial officer of The Wolford Law Firm LLP. Bea’s family and friends will miss her kindness, her sage advice, her keen intellect, and her selfless devotion to others.

Survivors include her loving husband of 55 years, Michael R. Wolford; daughter, Hon. Elizabeth A. Wolford; sons and daughter-in-law, John M. and Christie Wolford and James S. Wolford; grandchildren, Michael, Madigan, Christine, Thomas and Shaun Wolford; step-grandchildren Parker and Cassidy Lawrence; sister and brother-in-law Diane and Bud Baker; sisters-in-law Elizabeth Cocuzzi and Margaret Graf; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

She was predeceased by her parents, Thomas F. and Dorothy C. Cocuzzi, and brother Thomas J. Cocuzzi.

No prior calling hours will be held. On Saturday, Aug. 28, all are invited to attend her Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. in St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 26 Mendon Ionia Road, Mendon. The family requests that everyone please wear a mask. Interment will be at the Mendon Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, for those wishing, memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women, 1437 Blossom Road, Rochester, NY 14610, or Pluta Cancer Center, 125 Red Creek Drive, Rochester, NY 14623.