Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Father“Doc” Luther Dwaine McCOLLUM Jr. (1926-2013)
MotherEdith Gaynelle SUTTON (1928-2023)
Obituary Online notes for Cynthia Gayle McCOLLUM
Cynthia McCollum Uzzo
MAY 5, 1952 – JANUARY 6, 2023
IN THE CARE OF
Chas. Peter Nagel Funeral Directors
Cynthia McCollum Uzzo didn’t paint the town red - she simply painted the town.
Cindy, as all knew her, was an artist, a specialist in the decorative painting of homes and furniture. She also applied her finishing magic in building lobbies and an occasional bar or two.
The founder of McCollum Interiors of New York City, Cindy died at home in Manhattan on January 6, 2023, after a 16-month struggle with pancreatic cancer. She was 70 years old.
She worked extensively in the New York to Connecticut market, but ranged as far as Chicago, Washington’s Embassy Row and Miami. The breadth of her finishes was as colorful as it was transforming - lime paint, murals, stencils, crackle finishes, glazing and all manner of other faux finishes. These include wood grain, marbelizing and other stones. Cindy was expert in stains, wood finishes and color matching and over time, she expanded into importing and retailing all the finishes she used.
She ran a lean operation. Prizing flexibility and minimal risk, Cindy had no staff. Instead, as demanded by bigger jobs, she collaborated with an ever-expanding circle of similarly skilled painters. As in friendship, her professional networking was boundless. Speaking at a March 4 memorial for her in Manhattan, an architect colleague recalled how her own reputation had been saved on a job by Cindy’s talent for navigating client demands, contract schedules and the myriad specifics of a normal job.
Born in Greensboro North Carolina in 1952, Cindy was the first child of Gaynelle Sutton and Luther D McCollum.
Her mother trained as a teacher and basketball coach, but much preferred raising her three children and running the family home.
Her father was a US Navy radar man at the end of World War 2; later he was a bricklayer; and after that, a contract administrator for the US Department of Defense and Transportation.
Cindy spent early years in Greensboro, before the family’s serial relocations to Charlotte NC, Huntsville AL, Cedar Rapids IO, and Springfield VA, in suburban Washington DC.
She graduated from the renamed John R. Lewis high school in Springfield.
Cindy began her formal art career at East Carolina University, earning a degree in art education and crafts in 1974.
On graduating, she married Joseph Naven and moved to New York City, where his family was in food services. Setting up first in a Brooklyn basement flat, Cindy quickly realized that for her, New York was home - and she never left.
She took herself to the garment center, starting as a clerical worker and quickly maneuvering into designing women’s clothing - first at Oxford Industries and later with MR. WITT. Between work trips to clothing factories in India and South Korea, she dabbled briefly in textile design and continued her education at the Fashion Institute of Technology - where she earned an additional degree.
Cindy’s New York apartment and her parent’s North Carolina home reflected her lifelong dedication to making, collecting, and displaying art. She was always drawing and painting. Planning to spend lots of time painting in retirement, she collected volumes, such as a field guide to the Eastern Forests of the US, so that she might better represent trees, and other flora. This dedication to detail was a hallmark of all Cindy’s efforts, personal and professional.
When Cindy was not creating art, she was going to art shows. She showed me the magic of modern art, through a show of Piet Mondrian. And I hope to never forget the gorgeous water-color landscapes of Charles E. Burchfield to which she introduced me. She was a member at one or more of the main galleries in New York. The last I recall was the American Museum of Natural History.
History was another of Cindy’s great loves. I’m still making my way through the Penguin History of the World - which she gifted to me. She paid particular attention to US history and that of the southern United States where she spent her formative years.
Cindy’s survivors include her younger brothers Dwaine, and his wife Frances; and Sam, and his wife Cindy, and their two sons and four grandchildren. Cindy, not to be confused with her just-mentioned sister-in-law Cindy, had a beautiful god-daughter in New York. Few aunts or uncles remain on the McCollum and Sutton sides, but there are many, many cousins.
Cindy’s marriage to Joseph Naven ended in divorce.
Thomas ‘Tom’ Uzzo, her husband of 17 years, died in 2020.
Cindy’s fourth love, after her family, friends and, especially, her husband Tom, was travel. No place was too exotic, or too difficult. She traveled alone for business and with her husband and family for pleasure. She was just as happy in a hostel as she was camping at the beach or skipping the light fantastic in a European hotel. After retiring, she pledged to never again pass a roadside historical marker without stopping to read it.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/new-york-ny/cynthia-uzzo-11094879 [2946]
MAY 5, 1952 – JANUARY 6, 2023
IN THE CARE OF
Chas. Peter Nagel Funeral Directors
Cynthia McCollum Uzzo didn’t paint the town red - she simply painted the town.
Cindy, as all knew her, was an artist, a specialist in the decorative painting of homes and furniture. She also applied her finishing magic in building lobbies and an occasional bar or two.
The founder of McCollum Interiors of New York City, Cindy died at home in Manhattan on January 6, 2023, after a 16-month struggle with pancreatic cancer. She was 70 years old.
She worked extensively in the New York to Connecticut market, but ranged as far as Chicago, Washington’s Embassy Row and Miami. The breadth of her finishes was as colorful as it was transforming - lime paint, murals, stencils, crackle finishes, glazing and all manner of other faux finishes. These include wood grain, marbelizing and other stones. Cindy was expert in stains, wood finishes and color matching and over time, she expanded into importing and retailing all the finishes she used.
She ran a lean operation. Prizing flexibility and minimal risk, Cindy had no staff. Instead, as demanded by bigger jobs, she collaborated with an ever-expanding circle of similarly skilled painters. As in friendship, her professional networking was boundless. Speaking at a March 4 memorial for her in Manhattan, an architect colleague recalled how her own reputation had been saved on a job by Cindy’s talent for navigating client demands, contract schedules and the myriad specifics of a normal job.
Born in Greensboro North Carolina in 1952, Cindy was the first child of Gaynelle Sutton and Luther D McCollum.
Her mother trained as a teacher and basketball coach, but much preferred raising her three children and running the family home.
Her father was a US Navy radar man at the end of World War 2; later he was a bricklayer; and after that, a contract administrator for the US Department of Defense and Transportation.
Cindy spent early years in Greensboro, before the family’s serial relocations to Charlotte NC, Huntsville AL, Cedar Rapids IO, and Springfield VA, in suburban Washington DC.
She graduated from the renamed John R. Lewis high school in Springfield.
Cindy began her formal art career at East Carolina University, earning a degree in art education and crafts in 1974.
On graduating, she married Joseph Naven and moved to New York City, where his family was in food services. Setting up first in a Brooklyn basement flat, Cindy quickly realized that for her, New York was home - and she never left.
She took herself to the garment center, starting as a clerical worker and quickly maneuvering into designing women’s clothing - first at Oxford Industries and later with MR. WITT. Between work trips to clothing factories in India and South Korea, she dabbled briefly in textile design and continued her education at the Fashion Institute of Technology - where she earned an additional degree.
Cindy’s New York apartment and her parent’s North Carolina home reflected her lifelong dedication to making, collecting, and displaying art. She was always drawing and painting. Planning to spend lots of time painting in retirement, she collected volumes, such as a field guide to the Eastern Forests of the US, so that she might better represent trees, and other flora. This dedication to detail was a hallmark of all Cindy’s efforts, personal and professional.
When Cindy was not creating art, she was going to art shows. She showed me the magic of modern art, through a show of Piet Mondrian. And I hope to never forget the gorgeous water-color landscapes of Charles E. Burchfield to which she introduced me. She was a member at one or more of the main galleries in New York. The last I recall was the American Museum of Natural History.
History was another of Cindy’s great loves. I’m still making my way through the Penguin History of the World - which she gifted to me. She paid particular attention to US history and that of the southern United States where she spent her formative years.
Cindy’s survivors include her younger brothers Dwaine, and his wife Frances; and Sam, and his wife Cindy, and their two sons and four grandchildren. Cindy, not to be confused with her just-mentioned sister-in-law Cindy, had a beautiful god-daughter in New York. Few aunts or uncles remain on the McCollum and Sutton sides, but there are many, many cousins.
Cindy’s marriage to Joseph Naven ended in divorce.
Thomas ‘Tom’ Uzzo, her husband of 17 years, died in 2020.
Cindy’s fourth love, after her family, friends and, especially, her husband Tom, was travel. No place was too exotic, or too difficult. She traveled alone for business and with her husband and family for pleasure. She was just as happy in a hostel as she was camping at the beach or skipping the light fantastic in a European hotel. After retiring, she pledged to never again pass a roadside historical marker without stopping to read it.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/new-york-ny/cynthia-uzzo-11094879 [2946]
Obituary Online notes for Thomas C. (Spouse 2)
Thomas C Uzzo
AUGUST 5, 1955 – APRIL 27, 2020
IN THE CARE OF
Chas. Peter Nagel Funeral Directors
Tommy Uzzo’s Volunteer Activities
American Jazz Venues - Created by Clem DeRosa in 2003, American Jazz Venues was dedicated to Jazz education for young people in the public schools. Workshops via Big Band musicianship and the resulting concerts helped expose a new generation to appreciate and enjoy “America’s indigenous musical art form.” (Tom’s classical music education at Manhattan School of Music, 1978 BA, Bass Performance, did not preclude his first love, Jazz.) Tom assisted Clem from the beginning, and after Clem’s death in 2011, Tom continued Clem’s work both as a board member and event co-ordinator until 2019.
2. Re: Restoration of Sanctuary Piano (106 E 86th St, New York, NY 10128)
From the Park Avenue United Methodist Church bulletin, October 21, 2017:
“Today our music director, George Boyer plays on the newly restored Steinway and Sons, Model “B” Piano, Serial #108207. This beautiful instrument was donated to the church in 2001 in memory of Ladislas and Catherine Helfenbein Aspinal by their nieces Ann and Emily Aspinal. Ladislas and Catherine were friends of Jane & Lyndon Woodside.
Six years ago, the Trust Fund and our Trustees had arranged for the restoration of the piano by Alex Kostakis of A.C. Pianocraft, Inc. Persistent problems indicated a need for further restoration, and thanks to the diligent efforts of Tom Uzzo, the work has now been completed by Mr. Kostakis, and we are grateful that he honored the commitment to see our work to a successful outcome.”
Other assistance rendered to the Park Avenue United Methodist Church (2002-2016):
Audio consulting for Sunday Evening contemporary service, “Space for Grace,” including purchases and set-up. Performed bass in the band.
Second Sundays Series: assisted Chairwoman with live concerts.
Membership Committee Co-Chair; Co-Chef for Annual Palm Sunday Pancake Breakfast as well as greeting visitors and shepherding new members into the social fabric of the church.
3. Methodist Home for Nursing and Rehabilitation, (4499 Manhattan College Parkway, Riverdale, NY 10471) Board Member. Tom personally oversaw major infrastructure project, 2010 to 2014, that included the following: Roofing Upgrade, HVAC Upgrade, Elevator Upgrade, Generator Upgrade and Refitting Rooms and Hallways. The budget was approximately 9 million dollars.
4. Audio consulting, Immanuel Lutheran Church, (122 E 88th St., New York, NY 10128,) 2017 to 2020.
5. Mentor to his nephew, Tony Davis (regular bass lessons from middle school through high school as well as loyal attendance at his concerts.) Many, many others benefitted from Tom’s expertise, instruction and patience. If he wasn’t helping someone with music or recording, he was the always available computer tech for a wide range of co-workers, family and friends.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/new-york-ny/thomas-uzzo-9152398 [2950]
AUGUST 5, 1955 – APRIL 27, 2020
IN THE CARE OF
Chas. Peter Nagel Funeral Directors
Tommy Uzzo’s Volunteer Activities
American Jazz Venues - Created by Clem DeRosa in 2003, American Jazz Venues was dedicated to Jazz education for young people in the public schools. Workshops via Big Band musicianship and the resulting concerts helped expose a new generation to appreciate and enjoy “America’s indigenous musical art form.” (Tom’s classical music education at Manhattan School of Music, 1978 BA, Bass Performance, did not preclude his first love, Jazz.) Tom assisted Clem from the beginning, and after Clem’s death in 2011, Tom continued Clem’s work both as a board member and event co-ordinator until 2019.
2. Re: Restoration of Sanctuary Piano (106 E 86th St, New York, NY 10128)
From the Park Avenue United Methodist Church bulletin, October 21, 2017:
“Today our music director, George Boyer plays on the newly restored Steinway and Sons, Model “B” Piano, Serial #108207. This beautiful instrument was donated to the church in 2001 in memory of Ladislas and Catherine Helfenbein Aspinal by their nieces Ann and Emily Aspinal. Ladislas and Catherine were friends of Jane & Lyndon Woodside.
Six years ago, the Trust Fund and our Trustees had arranged for the restoration of the piano by Alex Kostakis of A.C. Pianocraft, Inc. Persistent problems indicated a need for further restoration, and thanks to the diligent efforts of Tom Uzzo, the work has now been completed by Mr. Kostakis, and we are grateful that he honored the commitment to see our work to a successful outcome.”
Other assistance rendered to the Park Avenue United Methodist Church (2002-2016):
Audio consulting for Sunday Evening contemporary service, “Space for Grace,” including purchases and set-up. Performed bass in the band.
Second Sundays Series: assisted Chairwoman with live concerts.
Membership Committee Co-Chair; Co-Chef for Annual Palm Sunday Pancake Breakfast as well as greeting visitors and shepherding new members into the social fabric of the church.
3. Methodist Home for Nursing and Rehabilitation, (4499 Manhattan College Parkway, Riverdale, NY 10471) Board Member. Tom personally oversaw major infrastructure project, 2010 to 2014, that included the following: Roofing Upgrade, HVAC Upgrade, Elevator Upgrade, Generator Upgrade and Refitting Rooms and Hallways. The budget was approximately 9 million dollars.
4. Audio consulting, Immanuel Lutheran Church, (122 E 88th St., New York, NY 10128,) 2017 to 2020.
5. Mentor to his nephew, Tony Davis (regular bass lessons from middle school through high school as well as loyal attendance at his concerts.) Many, many others benefitted from Tom’s expertise, instruction and patience. If he wasn’t helping someone with music or recording, he was the always available computer tech for a wide range of co-workers, family and friends.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/new-york-ny/thomas-uzzo-9152398 [2950]