Elizabeth "Lisa" Hathaway

Elizabeth "Lisa" Hathaway, 78, of McDonough, New York, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones at SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse.

Elizabeth is survived by her devoted husband, Ray; her children, Bonnie, CJ, Thomas, and Wendy; her daughter-in-law Bobbi Jo; and her cherished grandchildren, Lee, Dillon, Bryant, Ray, Jeremy, Zachary, Makia, and Jordan.

She was preceded in death by her beloved youngest son, Ray Ray, and her favorite son-in-law, Michael Fly.

Lisa had a deep love for animals and shared her home with many beloved pets throughout her life. She enjoyed staying active, whether riding her bike or swimming, and found great joy in spending time outdoors. A faithful member of Calvary Church, she worshipped alongside her daughter Wendy and found comfort and community in her church family.

More than anything, Lisa was the heart of her family. She was known for her quick wit, warm sense of humor, and the way she could make anyone feel welcome. She always had advice to share, a story to tell, or a joke to brighten someone's day. Her kindness, strength, and unconditional love left a lasting impact on everyone who knew her.

Her family remembers her with these heartfelt words:

"She was an amazing mother and wife; we loved traveling around the states. I forever lost my best friend and beloved wife." — Ray, Husband

"I will miss my mom forever—my best friend and, as Mom always called me, her 'Twinee.' She wasn't just my mom; she was 'Mama Hathaway' to so many of our friends. She opened her heart and home to everyone, and so many people were blessed to know her love and kindness. I'll miss her every day." — Bonnie

“I will love you always mom and I will miss our conversations” -CJ

“I will love you always and forever, until we will meet again” -Thomas

"I cherished our time together at Calvary Church. She loved it so much, and that is something I will cherish forever. I also enjoyed our thrift shopping trips together. Mom was the heart of this family, and I pray her memory brings us closer together. I also loved gifting and sharing houseplants with her. I have Mom's huge house plant that she couldn't transport to New York, and it will always be a reminder of her." — Wendy

"She was a wonderful grandmother and an amazing great grandma. She will be so missed, and I will miss nothing more than sitting with her for hours behind a cup of coffee, listening to her tell stories about her life and giving me advice about mine. I lost my best friend in her." — Ray A.

"She taught me it's okay to be myself. Without her, I wouldn't be where I am today, and I'll miss her every day until we meet again." — Dillon

“Grandma you gave me so much advice and help me in so many ways. I will miss you every day of my life and always being there for me. You are best grandma EVER!”  -Lee

Elizabeth's legacy lives on through the love she shared, the family she cherished, and the countless lives she touched with her compassion, laughter, and unwavering support. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving her.