Utica, NY – The Utica community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of a woman whose legacy reaches far beyond her delicious confections and warm personality. Nicole Cozza, a cherished local baker, loving mother, and resilient soul, passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025, after a brave and hard-fought battle with cancer. She was the owner of the widely adored Holy Pizzoli on Oneida Street and a beloved figure whose impact will be deeply felt for years to come.
Nicole Cozza was more than a baker; she was a beacon of strength, compassion, and perseverance. A proud Utica native, she dedicated her life to spreading joy through her culinary talents and to helping others find their way through darkness. She spent over 20 years working in addiction recovery services, guiding countless individuals through the struggles of substance abuse—work that was especially close to her heart as a survivor herself. She often spoke openly about her own journey, using her experiences to offer hope and healing to others, all while raising her two daughters with grace and unconditional love.
Cozza’s roots in baking ran deep. She often credited her skills and passion to her family heritage, having grown up around the ovens and stories of Rintrona’s Bakery on Bleecker Street—a cherished institution in Utica that first opened in 1908. That deep connection to family and tradition inspired her own business, Holy Pizzoli, where she infused Italian flair, heart, and soul into every pastry. Her shop became a gathering place for locals who not only loved her food but admired the woman behind the counter.
In January 2023, Nicole received the devastating news that she had stage four colon, stomach, and ovarian cancer. Doctors gave her a dire prognosis—one year to live if she underwent surgery, or as little as four months without it. But in true Nicole fashion, she chose to fight with unwavering resolve. Over the following year, she endured three major surgeries and bi-weekly chemotherapy sessions in New York City, all while continuing to be a mother, friend, and community pillar. Her courage was nothing short of remarkable.
Throughout her battle, Nicole remained a symbol of hope and grace. Friends and family rallied around her, inspired by her spirit and unwillingness to let cancer define her. She faced every challenge with a quiet strength that moved all who knew her.
Nicole Cozza passed peacefully on the morning of July 31, surrounded by those who loved her most. She leaves behind her two daughters, who were the light of her life, as well as a tight-knit community of friends, family, customers, and former clients—many of whom credit her with saving their lives.
Tributes poured in across social media and the community in the days following her passing. One friend wrote, “Prayers to all of Nicole Cozza’s family, friends, and loved ones… especially her girls. So sad and such a loss. She fought a tough battle, so gracefully at that, and she can now rest in forever peace.”
Nicole Cozza’s life was a testament to the power of resilience, love, and community. She taught those around her that healing is possible, that passion can become purpose, and that even in the face of the unimaginable, one can choose joy. Her memory will live on not only through the sweet scent of pizzoli wafting from the shop she built but in the hearts of everyone she touched with her kindness and tenacity.
As Utica grieves, it also remembers and celebrates a woman who gave everything she had to her family, her city, and her mission of healing. Nicole Cozza will never be forgotten.