Ellen Jane Uguccioni

January 3, 1951 – September 27, 2026

Noted architectural historian Ellen Jane Uguccioni passed away peacefully at the age of 75 on September 27, 2026 in Mystic, CT after a valiant fight with cancer. Born in New London, Connecticut, on January 3, 1951, Ellen was predeceased by her mother, Arlene Stockwell Colby Kohl of Lakeland, Florida, her father, Charles Uguccioni, and her brother, Kenneth Uguccioni, of New London, Connecticut. She leaves behind two nieces; Jennifer Grace and Deborah Thompson of CT and brother-in-law, Dan Colussy of FL. Growing up in Connecticut, Ellen was an accomplished classical pianist and considered a career as a concert pianist, however other looming prospects of her young life directed her elsewhere.

Ellen’s early career began in the USMCR, during the Vietnam War era, where she served from 1973 to 1976 on Active Marine Corp Duty. From 1976 on she served in the Marine Corps Reserves reaching the rank of and serving as a Lt Colonel until her retirement in 1999. Ellen received two distinguished Awards for her USMCR service; The National Defense Service Medal and The Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

After active duty, Ellen turned to the art world and received her M.A. from the University of Missouri at Kansas City where she began a twenty-year career at the Kansas City Landmarks Commission. She co-authored her first book, Fountains of Kansas City, A History and Love Affair in 1980.

In 1985 Ellen made history becoming the City of Coral Gables’ first preservationist historian, dedicating her life to protecting the architectural treasures of the city. In this pivotal role, she championed countless local landmarks, most notably overseeing the preservation and revitalization of the iconic Biltmore Hotel. In 2002, Ellen published The Biltmore Hotel, An Enduring Legacy with co-author Samuel D. LaRue, Jr.

Ellen was a titan of preservation across the state. She lent her immense expertise to the Florida Historical Preservation Commission for twelve years and was later honored as a Trustee Emerita by the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. She received the honor of a commission by former Governor Jeb Bush to write the history of the Florida Governor’s mansion in Tallahassee: First Families in Residence; Life at the Florida Governor’s Mansion. An educator at heart, she inspired future generations of designers and preservationists through her lectures at the University of Miami School of Architecture. She co-authored six books, foundational texts documenting local history, including the definitive Coral Gables: Miami Riviera: An Architectural Guide. Ellen leaves behind an indelible, tangible legacy written into the very skyline and historic streetscapes of South Florida.

She will be deeply missed by family, colleagues, former students, and the community that walks daily through the beautiful spaces she fought so hard to save. Her memory will be cherished by friends and family for all the light and laughter she brought into this world.

A Funeral Service with full Military Honors will be held at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 317 Bow Lane, in Middletown, CT on October 9, 2026, at 1pm. Arrival by 12:45 is requested.

In lieu of flowers, Ellen has requested donations be sent to the,” Arlene Dorinda Stockwell Colby Troubadour Fund” created by her in honor of her mother and in coordination with the Yale School of Music providing cancer patients the ability to have live music played by students during treatment sessions. Donations can be sent to The SMILOW Cancer Center, 230 Waterford Pkwy S., Waterford, CT 06385.