Vera Eccarius-Kelly

Vera Eccarius-Kelly, born on August 2, 1965, in Dusseldorf, Germany, passed away on December 6, 2025 at the age of 60 after a long battle with cancer. Vera was a beloved professor, scholar, and mentor at Siena University in Loudonville, NY. Her dedication to academia and teaching, and her steadfast advocacy for social justice have left an indelible mark on her students, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Vera was a deeply loved wife, sister, and aunt, whose vibrancy, courage, and spirit touched the lives of those around her. She is survived by her devoted husband of 35 years, Bill Kelly, who stood by her through every chapter of their life together. Their bond was a testament to love and partnership, marked by shared laughter, mutual support, and an unwavering commitment to one another.

Her family ties extended through her brothers, Ralf and Bernd, whose support and camaraderie enriched her life. Each brother brought a unique joy to her world, and they shared countless memories that will linger long in the hearts of those left behind. Their wives, Sabine and Agnes, welcomed Vera into a circle of shared experiences and love, enhancing the family’s bond. Likewise, the Kelly family, including Bill’s mother, Margaret, and his siblings and their spouses, Kevin and Casey Kelly, Brendan and Marie Kelly, Margaret and Dave Plummer, and Maureen and Dave Wadleigh, as well as nieces Shannon Bates and her husband Hunter; and Greta Hansen and her husband Zeeshan Ahmed, all embraced Vera fondly.

Vera was also a cherished aunt to her niece, Anna Eccarius, and her nephew, Benjamin Eccarius. She took immense pride in their accomplishments and interests, fostering a nurturing environment filled with encouragement and affection. Vera’s influence on their lives will be felt for years to come, as she inspired them to pursue their passions with vigor and determination.

Throughout her life, Vera radiated kindness, empathy, and tenacity. She had a remarkable ability to make those around her feel valued and uniquely important. Her legacy of love, strength, and understanding will endure in the hearts of her family and friends, reminding us all of the profound impact she had on our lives.

A popular panelist on the WAMC radio show The Roundtable for the past decade, Vera’s stunning depth and breadth of knowledge, along with her warmth, passion, and willingness to speak truth to power, endeared her to countless fans across the region. Often, while visiting small shops in the Hudson Valley, store owners would recognize her voice and were thrilled at the opportunity to meet and speak with her.

Vera's academic journey began at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she earned her B.A. in International Studies and Spanish in 1989. She received a Rotary Ambassadorial Graduate Fellowship to Universidad Autónoma de Centro América in Costa Rica in 1991, further deepening her passion for global engagement. Vera completed her Master of Law and Diplomacy (MALD) from the Fletcher School at Tufts University in 1996, receiving The Fletcher School Dean's Award for her research in Chiapas, Mexico. In 2002, she proudly earned her Ph.D. from the same esteemed institution.

Vera was a trailblazer in the field of political science. Since 2002, she served as Professor of Comparative Politics at Siena College, where she not only co-chaired the Fair Trade and Social Justice Program but also held the position of Associate Dean in the School of Liberal Arts. Her influential research and scholarly contributions focused primarily on ethnic nationalism and diaspora politics, specializing in the Kurdish communities and revolutionary movements throughout the Middle East and Latin America. Vera authored several significant publications, including "The Militant Kurds: A Dual Strategy for Freedom" (2011), "Symbiotic Antagonisms: Competing Nationalisms in Turkey" (2010), "Migration and Activism in Europe since 1945" (2008), and co-edited "Kurdish Autonomy and U.S. Foreign Policy" (2021).

She led several travel courses at Siena College that were enormously popular among her students. Trips included extended travel with field work in the Maya highlands of Guatemala; agricultural communities in Nicaragua; and in Afro-Caribbean communities in Cartagena, Colombia. She was also Co-Instructor for Gender Equality and Migration courses in the Nordic Countries venturing to various locations in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, and Estonia. She also served as Co-Instructor for Border Studies, bringing students to Ciudad Juárez, Mexico and El Paso, TX; San Jerónimo, Mexico and Las Cruces, NM.

In recognition of her exceptional work, Vera received numerous accolades throughout her career, including the Siena College Awards for Excellence in 2022, the ACE Academic Advisor of the Year in 2018, the Matthew T. Conlin Distinguished Service Award in 2011, and multiple awards from Fair Trade Universities, USA, and Trustco Bank. Her work with the ECAR (Every Campus a Refuge) initiative was particularly impactful, as she established a campus chapter at Siena College and warmly hosted an Afghan family for 18 months, earning a Silver Certification for Siena from the national ECAR Chapter in 2023. Additionally, her contributions in collaboration with the Refugee Welcome Center highlighted her commitment to addressing educational barriers for refugees.

Vera served on the Board of Mayan Hands, an Albany-based fair-trade nonprofit dedicated to creating economic and educational opportunities for Maya women and girls in Guatemala. During her tenure as Board president, Vera’s thoughtful leadership enhanced the lives of hundreds of artisans and students, guiding Mayan Hands as it expanded its market for artisan goods, strengthened its scholarship program for Indigenous girls, and launched a health and wellness initiative—work that reflected her enduring belief in dignity, opportunity, and shared humanity.

Outside of academia, Vera was an avid gardener, known for her nurturing green thumb and fondness for irises and lilies. She treasured nature and often took to the hiking trails of the Adirondacks, Berkshires, and Catskills with her husband, Bill Kelly.

Her legacy of love, scholarship, and service will forever resonate within the hearts and minds of those she inspired throughout her remarkable life.

As we remember Vera Eccarius-Kelly, let us celebrate her life, a life full of richness and depth, a life that brought people together and reminded us of the importance of connection, compassion, and love.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Vera’s memory be made to Mayan Hands, in support of the work she so deeply valued: www.mayanhands.org/pages/donate

A Celebration of Vera’s Life is being scheduled for April 18th, 2026, in coordination with Siena College. Details will be shared as soon as plans are finalized.