Catherine Carlisi

In Loving Memory of Catherine Carlisi
Catherine Carlisi, a beloved sister, daughter, aunt, mentor, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2025, at the age of 77. She was born the eldest of five children in Cleveland, Ohio, to Samuel and Kay Carlisi.
Catherine was a force of light-fiercely intelligent, endlessly compassionate, and armed with a wit that could spark laughter even in the hardest moments. She lived with purpose, pouring her wisdom and humor into the lives of those around her.
Catherine founded the Carlisi Consulting Group. There she helped companies build strong, agile, and resilient organizations by developing leaders who could inspire their teams in alignment of purpose and making the most of opportunities. She quickly became a trusted advisor and friend to those she worked with. Her clients ranged from entrepreneurial companies to large corporations to government agencies to nonprofit organizations across the United States, Canada, Italy, France, Spain, and the UK.
Family was incredibly important to Catherine. She is survived by her loving siblings: Tom Carlisi, John Carlisi, Patrice Gildner, and Mary Carlisi; her sister-in-law, Joan Zurcher; her cherished nieces and nephews: Alana Gildner, Robert Gildner, Brian Carlisi, and Gina Hunter; and extended family. Her thoughtfulness and generosity often led to family vacation adventures, numerous family reunions and celebrations, and a knack for thinking of unique gifts that were cherished by the receiver.
Beyond her professional achievements, Catherine loved to travel and experience different cultures, even spending a summer in Bali. She cherished her many dogs over the years, especially her beloved Afghan Hounds. Her diverse interests included a deep appreciation for music. She curated an extensive eclectic collection spanning multiple genres, traveled to music festivals, and enjoyed a week at sea on a Blues Cruise.
To have known Catherine was to have been inspired, to have laughed deeply, and to have been reminded that life, no matter how fleeting, is meant to be lived with passion and kindness.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to World Central Kitchen (https://www.wck.org) and Chrysalis Center (www.chrysaliscenterct.org/give) in Catherine's honor.