Cornelia J. Kunz "Lia"

Cornelia “Lia” Johanna Kunz, 80, quietly left this earth on January 22, 2025. A devoted Mom, cherished Grammie, and treasured friend, her absence leaves a void in the lives of all who loved her.

Born on February 2, 1944 in the Netherlands, Lia spent much of her “growing up” years living where her family moved due to her father’s career with KLM. Sometimes this meant living in her native country of Holland, and sometimes it meant the United States, where they settled for some time in New York. It was here that Lia graduated from Wantagh High School on Long Island in 1962, forming friendships that would span her entire lifetime.

After relocating to Holland post-graduation with her parents and three siblings, as a young woman Lia knew that she wanted to return to the US to live. This incredible move across continents by herself in 1964 really personifies who Lia was - an independent woman who was ready to live life on her own terms.

Securing an apartment in Jamaica, Queens, and a job at Chase Manhattan Bank were the building blocks of her life in New York. It wasn’t long before she met Al, the man who would become her husband, and the true love of her life. They married on March 25, 1967, and in December 1968, they put down roots in Holbrook - building the house that they would each spend the rest of their lives in while raising their two children, Chuck and Sue.

Sadly, Lia lost her beloved Al in 1991. With so much life left to live, once again Lia’s self-reliance came into play as she finished putting her children through college, working full-time, traveling, and nurturing friendships. Lia loved to explore new places, and took countless cruises and vacations with friends and family over the years - exploring many states within the US as well as other countries. She also thoroughly enjoyed her job as a legal secretary, finding a place at several firms throughout her working life. Her role at Certilman Balin was the final stop in her career, still refusing to retire at the age of 80.

To know Lia was to love her. Her infectious giggle was impossible to resist. She will remain in our memories as a kind-hearted, caring, and dedicated mom; a loyal, generous, and true friend; and as “Grammie,” the title that brought her the most joy of all, she will be forever treasured.

Lia’s legacy lives on in the hearts of her son, Chuck, and his wife Bryn; and her daughter, Sue, and her husband Mike; along with their beloved girls, Johanna, Madison, and Jordan.