Obituary of Frances A. Gatto

Frances Rigoli Gatto, 87, of 318 Colfax Street Jamestown, passed away peacefully Thursday June 20, 2013 in WCA Hospital surrounded by her family. A lifelong Jamestown resident, she was born March 27, 1926 the daughter of the late Sebastiano and Maria Conti Rigoli. Fran was best known for the subs she made in her amazingly tiny kitchen at Rigoli's Grocery, which she started in 1972. Along with her late husband Frank, they fed hungry patrons and treated the public like family through their retirement in 2003. She was also a communicant of St James Catholic Church. In earlier years, Fran was active in the Jamestown School System, serving as President of R.R. Rogers and Jefferson Jr. High PTA where she was well known for her spaghetti suppers. She was also director of the Southwestern PTA District for several years as well as an administrator with the Girl Scouts of Western New York. She is survived by her daughter and best friend Kathleen (Bob) Rizzuto of Jamestown; her loving and caring son Joseph Gatto of Goldsboro, NC; grandchildren, Robert (Eric Loomis) Rizzuto of Springfield, MA; Jon Erik (Kellie) Svensson of Jamestown; Hilary Maready of Wilmington, NC; Celeste (Dean) Glover of Clayton, NC; Christopher Gatto of Goldsboro, NC; Anna (Justin) Marino of Alexandria, VA; great grandchildren, Adam, Kristen, Michelle, Jordan Svensson, all of Jamestown; Meredith and Harrison Glover, both of Clayton, NC; two brothers, Ross Rigoli of Jamestown; Thomas Rigoli of CA; and two sisters, Mary Lou Scherer of Wisconsin; and Josie Brian of Florida. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Frank Gatto whom she married July 6, 1946 at St. James Catholic Church and who died December 2, 2006; a sister, Jenny Gagliardo; and two brothers, Anthony and James Rigoli. A private service will be held at the convenience of the family. Visitation will not be observed. A public celebration of her life and legacy will be announced at a future time. In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family is requesting memorials be made to The Frances A. Gatto Memorial Scholarship fund in care of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring Street, Jamestown, NY 14701.