Mary C. DeBlasiis Rizio
Mary C. DeBlasiis Rizio
March 18, 1938 - May 27, 2018
Mary C. Rizio, 81, of Rome passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 27, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. Mary was born in Melizzano, Italy. She fulfilled her dream of immigrating to the United States in 1954, to pursue better opportunities and to honor her parents (Filandro and Elvira DeBlasiis) wishes by becoming an American citizen.
Mary met her husband Lucien J. Rizio, Jr. in Rome and married on August 20, 1955, a blessed union of 23 years until his passing in 1978.
Mary selflessly devoted her life to her children and family. The memory of Mary will be cherished by how much she loved Jesus and wanted to serve others. She worked hard to instill love, compassion, and forgiveness in her children, family, friends, co-workers, members of the New Testament Church, acquaintances, and anyone she would encounter throughout the course of her day. She embodied kindness and gave quietly to others in need. Her love, devotion and loyalty had no limits or boundaries. When Mary did something for you it was always with a big smile and big heart. Some of her greatest passions were Italian cooking, planting flowers, and gardening. Anyone who came to her home never left hungry or without leftovers for a week!
Mary is survived by her two sons, Fredrick Rizio and his wife Anna of Rome, Ronnie Rizio and his wife Shari of Rome; two daughters, Paula Paulsen (Rizio) and her husband Kenny from Rome, and Lisa Longeretta (Rizio) and her husband John from Oriskany. Mary was blessed with several grandchildren and great grandchildren who she was very proud of and cherished. She was “Nonna” to David Paulsen, Christina (fiancé, Paul Romano) Lucien, and Angela Rizio, Maria and Johnny Longeretta; Matt and Michelle Whelan, Patricia and Christopher Powers, and her great-grandchildren Drew and Wesley Whelan, Keegan Whelan, Brooke, Natalie and Owen Powers.
Mary had a special love and bond with her sister and brother-in-law, Assunta and Carlo DiCastro. A sister, Elvira Palmisano (DeBlasiis) and her husband Rick. Her brothers, Rocco DeBlasiis and his wife Barbara, Amadeo DeBlasiis (AnnMarie DeBlasiis) and Gino DeBlasiis; her goddaughter Carla Banks (DiCastro), and so many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins who provided her endless joy, love and laughter.
Mary loved all of her family, and treasured her photos of family which she would often take out to everyone who would come to visit her. She would often talk about the good times of those family members who “went home to be with Jesus to enter eternal rest”; Sofia DeBlasiis, Jessica DeBlasiis, and Nikki DeBlasiis.
Mary was an employee of Rome Memorial Hospital and retired after more than 25 years of service. The family would like to offer the most sincere thanks to everyone at Rome Hospital for their attention, care and compassion.
A Mass of Christian Burial, officiated by the Reverend Paul F. Angelicchio, will be held on Thursday, May 31, at 11 am at St. John the Baptist Church. Interment will be at St. John’s Cemetary.
There will be no calling hours.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Bottini Funeral Home, 120 W. Embargo St.
Memorial donations for those wishing to contribute an expression of sympathy should be sent to the Rome Hospital Foundation - Extended/ Rehabilitation Care, (107 E. Chestnut St., Rome, NY 13440), in memory of Mary C. Rizio.
