Obituary of Erminia Rizzo

ERMINIA D'ANGELO RIZZO Erminia D'Angelo Rizzo died peacefully on Nov. 29, 2012 at Memory Garden, formerly, living for many years at 67 Campbell Ave. Born on July 6, 1922, she was now 90. Her parents were John D'Angelo and Luisa D'Andrea D'Angelo. She was born in Pratola Peligna, Province of L'Aquila, in Abruzzo, Italy. The family immigrated to America when Erminia was 7 years old. Life in America focused on close family ties, hard work, and excelling in school, with education forever the key to self-fulfillment. She graduated from Jamestown High School in 1941 with the Secretarial diploma. Erminia worked for the Jamestown Public Schools as Secretary to Principal Arvid F. Mitchell of Love School and Principal DeWitt M. Eddy of Rogers School. At that time, only Love School and Rogers School in the city had a school secretary working half day at these two schools. Shortly thereafter she worked for Principal Harold J. Donley of Lincoln Junior High School, which was a fulltime job. She loved working for Junior High teachers and students, and they loved her. During the summer months, she worked at the Central Administration Building. On July 24, 1948, Erminia married Marion (Muddy) Rizzo in the old St. John's Roman Catholic Church, where she was soprano soloist in its first choir. Marion and Erminia celebrated sixty-two years of marriage on July 24, 2010. Marion passed on Sept. l8, 2010. Erminia is survived by her son Carl M. Rizzo and wife Jennifer of Huntersville, NC; daughter Cindy L. Rizzo Richetti and husband Don of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; and 11 grandchildren Alison, Holden, and Olivia Rizzo; Ryan and Logan Richetti, Vanessa Richetti De La Rosa (husband Michael), and Rachel Richetti deceased; Dr. Shannon, Matthew, Katelyn, and Kelly McCarthy; sister Frances T. D'Angelo of Jamestown; sister Mary and brother-in-law Albin Derecki, both deceased; sister-in-law Connie Stinnet, nephews Robert and Owen, and niece Valerie. Erminia fulfilled a lifelong dream to return to Italy in1984, arriving in Rome with Marion on their wedding anniversary, visiting her birthplace and reuniting with relatives. Erminia was a member of St. John's R.C. Church, the church choir, the B.V.M. Sodality, Gaeta Club, Town Club, and Lakewood Rod & Gun Club. She served for many years as an election inspector at Ring School. She loved and was very good at cooking, baking, cleaning, sewing outfits for her children, and keeping house. With the birth of her first child, she stopped working to be fulltime homemaker. Erminia will be remembered and honored by her loving family for dedicating her life to providing a very wonderful home for her husband and children. Erminia's favorite activities included Music, with singing a special favorite. She was the soloist at early St John's Church at weddings. Her love of the classics, especially opera, is a result of her Father's love and participation in orchestral bands in Italy and America. She had a great love and appreciation for the Arts, and a deep love for Music. As a naturalized citizen of the U.S., she cherished her American citizenship while also being very proud of her Italian heritage. The family would like to gratefully acknowledge the extraordinary care she received from Dr. John LaMancuso, Hospice Chautauqua County, and the wonderful staff at Memory Garden. If you so desire, you may make a contribution in Memory of Erminia to Hospice Chautauqua County, 20 West Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY l4750. The funeral will be held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday , December 1, in the Lind Funeral Home. Deacon Samuel Pellerito of Holy Apostles Parish will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Friends will be received from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home.