With sadness we share the news of the death of the Rev. Deacon Elizabeth “Liz” Ostuni, 88, on October 6, 2025.
Liz was ordained to the diaconate in 2004 by Bishop John Croneberger, one of the first five vocational deacons ordained in the Diocese of Newark. She served at St. John’s/La Iglesia de San Juan in Dover, where she learned Spanish to fully participate in liturgy and taught English as a Second Language. In 2009 she was appointed one of three Archdeacons by Bishop Mark Beckwith, and served alongside fellow Archdeacons Peter Jackson and Deborah Drake until her retirement in 2014. Later she joined the staff of St. Mary’s, Sparta. She also served on the Cathedral Chapter (2009-2011) and the Commission on Ministry (2009-2016). Read her full obituary.
Liz is survived by her husband of 41 years, Larry Ostuni; daughters Laura Smoke (Peter), Jennifer Wilson, and Katy Allstaedt (William); stepchildren Carolyn O’Grady, John Ostuni (Sandra), and Patricia McCarthy (Dennis); 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial Service will be held Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 12 noon at the Shawnee Ridge Adult Community Center in Stroudsburg, PA.
Condolences may be sent to Liz’s husband, Larry Ostuni, at 107 Angus Dr., East Stroudsburg, PA 18301.
Good and gracious God, the light of the faithful and shepherd of souls, you sent your servant Liz to be a deacon in your Church to feed your sheep with your word and to guide them by her example; give us the grace to keep the faith she taught and to follow in her footsteps. We entrust her into your unfailing mystery of Love and Hope through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
