The Staten Island arts community is mourning the loss of Cara Sharon Liander Gordon, a vibrant and beloved figure whose passion for theater and the performing arts left a lasting mark on everyone she met. Cara passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday afternoon at Richmond University Medical Center after being found unresponsive at her home in St. George. She was 41 years old.
Her death came as a heartbreaking shock to her family and friends. “There was no indication of a problem, and we are all in shock,” said her brother, Robert Liander, who shared that Cara was diabetic but had her condition under control.
Just days before her passing, Cara was living life to the fullest. On Saturday, she attended a Chicago concert at the St. George Theatre; on Monday, she was preparing to ship an Atari gaming system to her brother in Florida; and she had plans to take her niece to a skating session in New Jersey later that week.
A Lifelong Staten Islander and Creative Force
Born on May 19, 1984, Cara grew up in Dongan Hills and was a proud lifelong Staten Islander. She graduated from Notre Dame Academy High School, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Acting from Boston University in 2006, and later obtained an MBA from Wagner College in 2017.
Her love for the arts defined her life. Cara worked as a playwright, actor, and producer, and served as board chair of the Staten Island Shakespearean Theatre Company. She also supported numerous cultural institutions including the Staten Island Ballet, Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, and the Staten Island Zoo.
Friends remember her as someone whose presence could light up any room. “Cara was a force of energy and light who inspired support for our arts and cultural community,” said Alfred Cerullo III, president and CEO of the Grand Central Partnership. “She was an amazing leader in our local theater world and beyond.”
Her close friend Doreen Cugno, co-founder of the St. George Theatre, recalled their final meeting with deep emotion: “We shared a big hug. She said, ‘I love you,’ and I replied, ‘I love you more.’ I can’t stop crying—I will miss my dear friend tremendously.”
A Life Built on Love, Joy, and Connection
Cara met her future husband, John Gordon, at Beans & Leaves Coffee Shop on Forest Avenue, where John worked and she was a regular customer. “She struck up a conversation about my Red Sox hat—and then she started showing up day after day,” John shared with a tearful smile.
They married on September 19, 2014, at St. Peter’s R.C. Church in New Brighton, with a reception at Snug Harbor and a honeymoon in Thailand.
Cara loved adventure, laughter, and simple joys. She was a Mets fan, an enthusiastic Bruce Springsteen concertgoer, and an occasional golfer. Her favorite pastime, however, was walking her 2-year-old Golden Doodle, Charlie, along the trails of Royal Oak Road in Castleton Corners—always ready with her trademark smile and wave for every passerby.
“To know her was to love her,” said John. “She made everyone around her better. To be compared to her would be the greatest accomplishment anyone could hope for.”
Family and Legacy
Cara is survived by her husband, John Gordon; her brothers Robert (Maria Rusolo) and Colin (Sandy Trullinger); her niece, Viola; her mother, Sharon Liander; her in-laws Anne and Jack Gordon; and brothers-in-law Daniel and Christian Gordon. She was predeceased by her father, Robert Liander, who passed in 2016.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Casey Funeral Home in Castleton Corners.
Cara Liander Gordon’s passing leaves a deep void in the Staten Island community—a void filled with memories of laughter, creativity, kindness, and love. Her light will continue to shine through the countless lives she touched and the art she so passionately championed.
Rest in peace, Cara. Your spirit and legacy will live on in the heart of Staten Island’s artistic soul.
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