Following is the obituary for ELIZABETH CORNELIA ZIEHL FOX, submitted by her family.

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Elizabeth Cornelia Ziehl Fox, 65, of Westport, passed peacefully at home on Oct. 5, 2024, following a courageous battle with brain cancer.  

Liz was born in Queens, N.Y., on May 20, 1959, to Joseph D. and Joan (Fox) Ziehl. Elizabeth grew up in Greens Farms, graduated from Staples High School in Westport in 1977 and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Mount Holyoke College in 1981.  

In 1986 Liz married John G. Petti III and had two children, Delia and Jack.  

Liz was passionate about architecture and building. In 1997, she directed the design and construction of a magnificent estate on Sasco Hill Road in Fairfield, which she filled with beautiful art and antiques. She was an impassioned gardener and cultivated spectacular gardens at her homes in Fairfield and Westport. 

In the early 2000s Liz created Foxy Music, a production company that sourced and recruited new talent. Liz was an ardent and accomplished cook who loved to entertain. She graciously welcomed her many friends and family members to her home where she expertly curated home-cooked meals for small intimate gatherings as well as veritable feasts for large crowds. 

Liz was a compassionate and generous philanthropist that gave whole-heartedly of herself to the causes and people that were dear to her.  She hosted many fundraisers for Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Fairfield County, the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, the Norma Pfriem Breast Care Center and the Daniel Trust Foundation, to name a few. 

As a proud Democrat, Liz was actively engaged in politics, especially as it related to human, women and voting rights. 

People often described Liz as a tenacious and wise force of nature. Unapologetically authentic, Liz always beat to her own drum unbothered by popular opinion. While Liz had such a wealth of knowledge on many different things, she always remained curious and humble.

Most of all, Liz was devoted to her family and loved them all dearly. Liz was predeceased by her mother, Joan Ziehl. In addition to her cherished children, Jack Petti of Newport Beach, Calif., and Delia Petti and her fiancé Michael Corsi of Newtown, Liz leaves behind her ex-husband John G. Petti III and his wife Courtney of Westport; her beloved father, Joseph D. Ziehl of Woodbury and Naples, Fla., and his wife Michelle; her brother Joe Ziehl and his wife Cynthia of Monroe; her sister Cathy Ziehl and her husband Larry Nirenberg of Newton, Mass.; her brother Matthew Ziehl and his wife Amy Starr of New York City, and eight nieces and nephews.

The family especially wishes to thank the nurses and home health aides at RVNA for their kind and compassionate care without which we would not have been able to navigate her cancer journey.  

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Malta House in Norwalk. Malta House focuses on aiding women and children.

Additionally, a celebration of life/charity will be held next fall in Liz’s honor and will support some of her favorite causes.