On Monday morning, James distributed an email to Douglas Elliman's New York office which read:

"It is with enormous sadness that I announce that Faith died suddenly on Sunday morning.  Faith was a legend in New York commercial real estate especially the NYC retail stores and businesses. Many of her clients were long term ones. They believed in her to get the job done! And she did! She was a high voltage character but deep down there was a heart that just wanted to be loved. We will all miss Faith."

James tells GlobeSt.com that Consolo was held in high regard and with tremendous affection. "There has been an enormous outpouring of shock and affection for Faith that says it all," he says.

One of her hallmark characteristics was expressing a belief in retail despite the ample news stories about its troubles. "She understood the reality that the internet was out there but she thought the internet and the retail space each had a part to play and they both are going to continue," he says. "That I thought was showing real resilience."

She often tied that optimism to a pun on her name, including embossing "You need Faith" on pink pens she distributed for marketing. 

James recalled her telling him a few months ago, "Listen, deals are being made out there. I'm making deals. There's still going to be commercial space." He describes her faith in the real estate market as a remarkable thing, and her passing away "a real loss to the commercial retail business."

James, who has worked with Consolo for approximately 14 years, says, "She was quite a character and larger than life."