By the family

Feb. 12, 2026: Elizabeth “Liz” Healy, 49, passed away on Sunday, February 8, in New York City after a courageous, nearly four-year battle with Stage IV colorectal cancer—the leading cause of cancer death for people under 50. She faced her illness as she lived her life: with extraordinary courage, relentless energy, deep faith, generosity, sharp wit, and an unwavering commitment to showing up for others. After being diagnosed, Liz dedicated her immense talents and energy to colorectal cancer advocacy – saving lives – this became her purpose. Never asking “why me”, she embraced everyone, and everything she did, with her positive spirt.

Liz was a devoted wife to her beloved husband, James “Jimmy” Reichbach, and a fiercely loving mother to their daughter, Ella, 15, the pride and joy of her life. She was also a cherished stepmother to Caitlin (Sebastian) and Emily (Frank), whom she affectionately called her “bonus daughters,” and a thrilled grandmother to four beautiful granddaughters. Family was the center of Liz’s world.

Liz was the youngest of four and shared lifelong close bonds with her surviving brothers Robert (Margaret), Thomas (Barbara), and Richard (Katie) Healy.  She was a treasured aunt to her nieces and nephews, godmother to many, and a beloved “ZZ” to generations of children who adored her warmth and energy.  She also remained deeply connected to her extended family – aunts, uncles and cousins – across the U.S. and Ireland.

Liz was born and raised in Bronxville, NY by her caring parents, the late Frank and Patricia (nee Kehoe) Healy. She attended St. Joseph’s School in Bronxville and The Ursuline School in New Rochelle (Class of 1994), where she loved seeing her aunt, Sr. Regina Kehoe, in the halls daily. Her athleticism and confidence were established by age 8 when she became a catcher — and one of only a few girl baseball players — in the Tuckahoe Youth Association. She later earned a B.S. from Cornell University (‘98), where she served as captain of the nationally ranked women’s crew team and received Cornell Crew Big Stick Award for exceptional leadership and spirit. In her final year of battling this disease, the team honored her by naming a boat (“Irish Liz Healy”) after her—an acknowledgment that deeply moved her and symbolized, as she loved to say, her spirit living. More recently Liz had the exceptional honor of serving on the Cornell University Council and honorary team member of the University’s Women’s Hockey Team.

Professionally, Liz thrived in team-based, global problem-solving roles. She began her career at Deloitte, becoming the youngest employee to rise from analyst to senior manager. After participating in a post-baccalaureate pre-medical program at Harvard, she joined IBM, where she quickly rose to become a global consulting partner, advising organizations on building innovative, high-performing businesses. She always stayed connected to The Ursuline School and as a co-chair of its Board of Trustees and founder of The Healy Family Sponsorship.

Liz’s cancer diagnosis ignited a new and powerful mission: saving lives through awareness, screening, and research. She became a tireless advocate, working closely with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, Fight CRC, Colontown, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Exact Sciences. Alongside Jim and Ella, she traveled to Washington, D.C. to lobby Congress, shared her story widely in national and international media, and founded Team Check Your Colon, raising money for colorectal cancer research. She became a board member at Sky Hope, an organization that flies patients for medical treatments and 2nd opinions after having transported her for treatments in Boston earlier in 2025.

Despite ongoing treatment, Liz completed the New York City Marathon four times as part of Fred’s Team and was later selected for New York Road Runners’ #Team Inspire—running, walking, and even dancing her way forward, always in service of others. Liz’s team raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to find a cure. She leveraged her story with the media, reaching 20+ million viewers from around the world, including People, New York Post, WABC, CBS and the Daily Mail with the singular purpose to build awareness and save lives.

Her husband, family and friends lovingly called Liz “Wonder Woman.” She believed that “movement was her medicine,” and she lived that truth— filling her “fight tank” by hosting holidays, traveling to colorectal events across the US, skiing, swimming off Long Beach Island, cheering at Mets games, attending Broadway shows, and never missing an opportunity to celebrate Ella’s many talents as an aspiring actor. She and her family loved their “zoo”, three dogs and a cat. She and Ella had a love for Disney, her “happy place”.  Even in pain, she chose joy, connection, and generosity.

Liz’s legacy is one of action, love, and courage. She was the center of gravity for her family, and the unique ability to connect and bring people together.

Her greatest wish was that her story save lives. Her message was powerful – know the symptoms, know your family history, and get screened—and encourage those you love to do the same. The best way to honor Liz is to advocate to find a cure and share her message with all you love and all you meet.

Visitation will take place on Friday, Feb. 13 from 4:00-8:00 PM at Fred H. McGrath & Son Funeral Home, 20 Cedar Street, Bronxville, NY.  A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, Feb. 14 at 9:45 AM at The Church of St. Joseph, 15 Cedar Street, Bronxville, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting organizations that have supported Liz, her family, and the many colorectal patients across the US and globally:

Colorectal Cancer Alliance – https://impact.ccalliance.org/fundraiser/6977132

Fight CRC – https://secure.qgiv.com/for/fightcolorectalcancer/

SkyHope https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/FMRFsw?vid=12v8u6

Healy Family Scholarship at Ursuline  https://www.ursulinenewrochelle.org/support-us/make-a-gift

Cornell Women’s Athletics: Cornell Rowing https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1717/giving/interior.aspx?sid=1717&gid=2&pgid=16421&bledit=1&dids=5704