Obituary of Elizabeth Marie (Petrucci) Born

Elizabeth Marie (Petrucci) Born of Farmington died at her home Aug. 25 of complications related to a heart condition. She was 71. Liz was born August 8, 1952, the third of eight children to the late James and Tranquilla Coceano Petrucci. She graduated from Farmington High School in 1970 and, eager to set out on her own, left to study business at then-Fairmont State College. She wasn't far from home, but the experience helped shape her into an independent and self-assured woman who always went after what she wanted, whether it was a rose tattoo on her ankle (before it was widely acceptable to have one) or a luxury convertible. She was an original. In 1980, she married Don Born, and they lived in a house on Suncrest Boulevard in Fairmont that she purchased herself. She gave birth to Molly, the couple’s only child, in 1988. They later found a home and two acres in the country, as Liz called it, in the Hammond Road community. Liz loved decorating and sitting by the fireplace on cool fall evenings. She looked forward to hosting her siblings and their families for Thanksgiving every year. An adoring mother, Liz celebrated every one of her daughter’s achievements and supported her goals and choices. Liz spent most of her career at the Fairmont-Morgantown Housing Authority, helping Section 8 applicants secure housing. She was proud of her work and retired in 2008. After Don’s sudden death in 2018, Liz and Molly lived together again for a few months on Hammond Road, a period of time both cherished as they grieved and grew closer to one another. One day Liz announced that she was moving back to Farmington. She delighted in the opportunity to see one of her siblings almost every day. Fun-loving and vivacious, she loved fresh flowers on her dining table and long chats with friends over a good meal. She also was known for her generosity. She quietly gave appliances, baby supplies, and money to those in need and once offered her purse to a waitress who admired it. Liz was in her early 30s when doctors found a problem with one of her heart valves. The discovery led to three open-heart surgeries and countless doctor visits over the years. As her health challenges began to escalate last fall, Liz maintained her trademark optimism and showed great courage. In addition to her parents, Liz was preceded in death by her husband Don and her brother, Anthony Petrucci. She is survived by her daughter Molly (Alexander Aloi); her siblings James (Susan) Petrucci, Gloria Cunningham, Bernadette (Greg) Sanchez, Remy (Kim Kovar) Petrucci, Joe Petrucci, and John Petrucci; her sister-in-law Sherri Petrucci; her nieces and nephews Wendy Fluharty, Carmen Fluharty, David (Deanna) Cunningham, Alessandra (Joey Machuga) Cunningham, Averie Cunningham, Amelia Petrucci, Remy (Emma) Petrucci II, Christina (Giancarlo) Sanchez Perez, Caroline (Anthony Rainone) Sanchez, Jalen (Kevin) Anton, Kasen and Paxton Anton, and Christopher (Anna Reece) Petrucci; her mother-in-law Sara Fuqua, brothers-in-law Doug Born and David (Beverly) Born, nieces Meredith (Patrick) Knight, Wren and Celia Knight, Hannah (John) Maxwell, and nephew Elliott Born. She also is survived by many friends, including Paula Llaneza, Annette Bissett, Samantha Huffman, Ross Knowles, Marmi Pintoff, and Kevin Smith. The family wishes to thank the nurses and nurse aides of Amedisys hospice care, caregivers Melissa, Rene, and Wanda, the nurses and nurse aides on floor 10-SE of the WVU Heart & Vascular Institute, and Annie Thacker. Friends will be received from 12 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2 at Ford Funeral Home, 201 Columbia Street, Fairmont. A service will be held in the funeral home the same day at 6 p.m. with Pastor Valerie Gittings officiating. In keeping with her wishes, Liz will be cremated and laid to rest with her husband at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Pruntytown, WV. Donations can be made to a cause Liz cared about: HOPE, Inc. Task Force on Domestic Violence, P.O. 626 Fairmont, WV 26554. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.