Rita Rizzo

Rita Violet (Marsico) Rizzo, 97, of Middlesex Township, was called to God on Saturday morning, Sept. 25, 2021.

Rita was born May 25, 1924, and raised in Sharpsburg, Pa. Early employment landed her jobs at the Pittsburgh Field Club and William Penn Hotel. A few years after marrying Lou, the family moved to the “country,” making their home in Middlesex Township.

Rita was a “Renaissance woman” learning how to drive when in her 50s while also deciding to seek full-time work. Engaging in what she knew best, she gravitated to food service/kitchen positions offering her talents in several area personal care homes. In her spare time, she rarely strayed far from the kitchen while preparing her Italian specialties, which included her homemade sauce, meatballs and the like. She was an avid bingo player with a circuit of stops in the local area. Rita had an especially keen interest and enjoyment of all things purple. She maintained connection with her Roman Catholic faith while a decades-long member of Holy Sepulcher Parish.

We would like to express sincere gratitude and appreciation to the dedicated staff of Pine View Personal Care Facility for the care they provided to our Mom for the past several years, especially in her last days.

Rita was the beloved wife for 41 years of the late Louis Rizzo and mother of the late Louis A. Rizzo. She is survived by children, Mary Ann (John) Murtha, Susan (David) Albensi and David Rizzo; her grandchildren, Bethany Murtha (Michael Bernadyn), Evan Murtha (Krystal McNaughton), Maria (Michael) Marchese and Nathan Albensi; numerous nieces and nephews; and very newly arrived great-grandson, Louis August Marchese.

Rita was the sixth child of Vincent and Mary Bernardo Marsico, and is preceded in death by older siblings, Peter Marsico, Joseph Marsico, Anna Marsico, Ellen Cuneo and Francis Marsico.

Rizzo — Friends and family of Rita Violet (Marsico) Rizzo, who died Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, will be received from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at Schellhaas Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 5864 Heckert Road, Bakerstown.

Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in Holy Sepulcher Roman Catholic Church, 1304 E Cruikshank Road, Butler.

Family suggests memorial donations to South Butler Community Meals on Wheels, 1091 Pittsburgh Road, Valencia, PA 16059.

Please see www.Schellhaasfh.com to leave online condolences.