Elizabeth Bradford nee Bukovich of North Truro and Yonkers, N.Y., a teacher, musician, and artist, died at Sutton Park Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in New Rochelle, N.Y. on Dec. 10, 2025. She was 89.
Elizabeth was born in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. on Aug. 11, 1936 to Barbara Mary Richvalsky and Frank William Bukovich. She was the oldest of seven children. She grew up in a house with a piano and was encouraged to pursue a career in music.
She graduated from Our Lady of Victory Academy in Tarrytown, N.Y. and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in music education from New York University.
Elizabeth was a music teacher in the Yonkers City School System for most of her career. She was known for her lively Christmas pageants and end-of-year concerts, always bringing in current music to inspire the children. She also taught at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, bringing culture and skills to incarcerated women in the rehabilitation program.
"Elizabeth brought joy to her large family with her musical talents, especially during the Christmas holidays when she would lead many sing-alongs and play the piano or guitar," said her niece Karen Gammino.
Elizabeth developed her passion for art in elementary school and absorbed information and techniques from friends and family. She often created puppets and paper dolls for her siblings and loved to sketch models with interesting wardrobes.
As an adult, she took workshops and classes and participated in shows. Eventually she earned a fine arts degree and was inspired by the atmosphere and light on Cape Cod. She had solo shows in New York and at the Truro Public Library.
Although Elizabeth claimed Yonkers as her permanent residence, her cottage in North Truro was the place where she really felt at home. She loved her time on the beach, her visits to Provincetown, and the Cape's unique geography. Through the years she created art using the landscape and historic buildings of Cape Cod as subjects.
Another passion was her love of animals. She supported Just Strays, an organization that rescued, spayed, and found homes for stray cats. She adopted several of them through the years. She helped organize fundraisers and disseminated information on caring for animals.
Elizabeth is survived by her siblings, Franklin Bukovich and wife Maureen of Carmel, N.Y.; Theresa Leemon of Wilmington, N.C.; Maryann Schafer of Eastham; Emma DeRossi and husband William of Coral Springs, Fla.; and Susan Brown of Sandia Park, N.Mex. There are also many nieces, nephews, greatnieces, and great-nephews who miss their Aunt Liz.
She was predeceased by her sister Veronica Bucci and her brothers-in-law James Leemon, Herbert Schafer, and Phillip Fernandez.
Elizabeth was cremated; a Funeral Mass and celebration of her life will be held in the spring.
Elizabeth was born in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. on Aug. 11, 1936 to Barbara Mary Richvalsky and Frank William Bukovich. She was the oldest of seven children. She grew up in a house with a piano and was encouraged to pursue a career in music.
She graduated from Our Lady of Victory Academy in Tarrytown, N.Y. and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in music education from New York University.
Elizabeth was a music teacher in the Yonkers City School System for most of her career. She was known for her lively Christmas pageants and end-of-year concerts, always bringing in current music to inspire the children. She also taught at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, bringing culture and skills to incarcerated women in the rehabilitation program.
"Elizabeth brought joy to her large family with her musical talents, especially during the Christmas holidays when she would lead many sing-alongs and play the piano or guitar," said her niece Karen Gammino.
Elizabeth developed her passion for art in elementary school and absorbed information and techniques from friends and family. She often created puppets and paper dolls for her siblings and loved to sketch models with interesting wardrobes.
As an adult, she took workshops and classes and participated in shows. Eventually she earned a fine arts degree and was inspired by the atmosphere and light on Cape Cod. She had solo shows in New York and at the Truro Public Library.
Although Elizabeth claimed Yonkers as her permanent residence, her cottage in North Truro was the place where she really felt at home. She loved her time on the beach, her visits to Provincetown, and the Cape's unique geography. Through the years she created art using the landscape and historic buildings of Cape Cod as subjects.
Another passion was her love of animals. She supported Just Strays, an organization that rescued, spayed, and found homes for stray cats. She adopted several of them through the years. She helped organize fundraisers and disseminated information on caring for animals.
Elizabeth is survived by her siblings, Franklin Bukovich and wife Maureen of Carmel, N.Y.; Theresa Leemon of Wilmington, N.C.; Maryann Schafer of Eastham; Emma DeRossi and husband William of Coral Springs, Fla.; and Susan Brown of Sandia Park, N.Mex. There are also many nieces, nephews, greatnieces, and great-nephews who miss their Aunt Liz.
She was predeceased by her sister Veronica Bucci and her brothers-in-law James Leemon, Herbert Schafer, and Phillip Fernandez.
Elizabeth was cremated; a Funeral Mass and celebration of her life will be held in the spring.
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