Carol Ann Margaret Brizzi, 80, of Newnan, Georgia passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at PruittHealth Skilled Nursing facility in Greenville, Georgia after a long battle with Lewy Body dementia. Ms. Brizzi was born September 22, 1942 in New York City and was the daughter of the late Richard Brizzi and Valerie Garfinkle Brizzi. She grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey and graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She also later studied Film at Syracuse University’s MFA program.
Carol was an ardent believer in equality for all people, and as a young woman during the 1960s served several months in southern Mississippi at great personal risk, with an organization devoted to the advancement of civil rights in the South. This powerful experience was instrumental in shaping the woman she was to become. She returned from Mississippi and later moved to New York City’s Greenwich Village, where she savored the diverse cultural mix of people, art and food.
Eventually she relocated to upstate New York’s Adirondack Mountains where she co-founded and helped to run an innovative rural residential program for young Black men at risk. Carol also worked for the Lake George Arts Project, a vibrant local arts organization founded in 1977, photographing sculpture exhibits as well as doing other work for the Project. A talented photographer, her work was featured in the Sierra Club Engagement Calendar, and she won a coveted Telly Award in 2003 for her videography and production work on an original meditative nature video, The Fifth Season, filmed in the Adirondack Park.
She is survived by her life and business partner of 40 years, Ellen Britt and their daughter Jayde Britt of Newnan, as well as her brother Paul Brizzi and sister-in-law Jan Connor of New City, New York, sister Cathy Wyck of Oakland, New Jersey, sister-in-law Teena Brizzi of Carmichael, California, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother Peter Brizzi.
Carol’s ashes will be returned privately to her beloved Adirondack Mountains at a later date.
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My husband and I met Carol and Ellen when our group traveled to China to adopt our daughters, and she was always a delightful presence – funny, upbeat, and smart. We kept in touch and visited Carol, Ellen, and Jayde when they lived in the Adirondacks in a place that our son called “paradise” because of their falcon and other animals, etc. We were deeply saddened to hear of Carol’s fight with dementia, and of her passing. But her work and her love and her memory live on. Peace.
May your spirit ever soar in the realm of pure light.
Prayers for Carol’s journey back to Source. Much ❤️ to Ellen and all those who love Carol.
Deepest sympathy to the entire family. Im very blessed our paths crossed at Carolyn Barron Montessori School in Newnan, Ga and we remained friends all these years. Love and Light, Maureen, Rae and Matthew
I have known Ellen since the early 80’s when we started our professional careers together at an Upstate facility for boys and came to know Carol and have happy times with her and Ellen at their cottage in the Adirondacks. May the memory of Carol’s lively, loving spirit remain to bless us all.
Carol will always be “Aunt Carol” to my daughters. Despite time and distance she has been and will continue to be a constant presence in our hearts.
Ellen, I wish I could have met Carol!! The photo shows me a delightful, loving, intelligent and fun woman!! May all the wonderful memories of your life together be a blessing to you and Jayde. I am available whenever you want to talk! Love and hugs to you always!
When I stated my own ineptitude at photography, she encouraged me to just keep taking pictures. Practice makes better, if not perfect. I’ll always remember that, when I have a camera (phone) in my hand.
My sincere condolences to Ellen and Jayde, on the loss of a very dear loved one.
I certainly liked Carol when I met her and I know how much she was loved by Ellen and Jayde. I hope she is now at peace. Ellen and Jayde, may her memory be a blessing in your lives. Love to you both.
Blessings to Ellen, Jayde, and all who loved Carol. What a remarkable woman, and what a legacy she leaves.
Carol was one of my favorite people, we became good friends. We both worked for the Lake George Arts Project from the very beginning, and during the Sculpture Show on Prospect Mount. I hated to see her move south, but understood the reasoning. She supported me when my husband left, and was always there. Many, many good laughs and great times. We were both Jersey girls. Ellen and Carol visited us shortly after Jayde came along. What a blessing for Carol and Ellen. My condolences to her family. Hugs to all.
This picture is exactly how I remember Carol. I knew she was brave, but I never realized how brave. We never had a conversation that was not inspiring, informative or thought provoking. I loved knowing Carol and Ellen were part of the Carolyn Barron Montessori School family. My 7 year old middle child asked why her friend Jayde had two mommies. My response…. Because she’s lucky. We all were, to know Carol. Sending hugs and love to you, Ellen and Jayde, from the Engel girls and their mommy.