Maria Grazia Rizzo, nee Sanzo, age 81 years, resident of Thunder, Bay, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 22, 2024. Maria was born in Chiaravalle Centrale, Italy on August 13, 1943.
Maria moved to Thunder Bay in 1965 to join her sister, brother, and family who had immigrated to Canada. Maria married Giuseppe Rizzo on January 28, 1967. Shortly thereafter her beautiful daughters, Rosemary and Julie were born.
She was a member of St. Anthony’s Church and the Ladies of the Italian Society of Port Arthur. Maria retired from the TBCDSB where she worked as a custodian.
Her greatest love was for her family, especially her grandchildren, Caleigh and Sarah. Maria shared her incredible talents in gardening, baking, sewing, knitting, and crocheting, that they will always carry with them.
Maria was beautiful inside and out. She was always kind, patient, warm, caring, and calming. Her subtle sense of humour would always catch you off guard and make you laugh. She had a positive outlook on life and never worried about the little things, which always influenced those around her. She had a heart of gold that we all cherished.
She was an avid gardener, and her flowers and vegetable gardens always flourished. She was an amazing cook and baker, always from scratch, and fresh from the garden. Along life’s way, she cherished family gatherings and enjoyed these times whether a holiday, milestone, picnicking at Wild Goose Park, Boulevard, or having family visits. Many special times were spent with her siblings including countless afternoons with her sisters baking and cooking.
We could not have asked for a better Nonna, Mother, Wife, Sister, Zia, Cousin. We will all miss her very much but we know she will not be far and we will carry her in our hearts, in every flower we see, in every Nonna cookie we make, every needlework created, and kind gesture we offer.
Maria will be sadly missed by her children Rosemary, Julie; grandchildren Caleigh, Sarah; siblings, Giuseppe (Maria) Sanzo, Lucia (Annunziato) Caputo; Vincenza DiGiorgio; in-laws Eva Sanzo, Antonio Badolato, Giuseppina Sanzo in Italy; Maria Concetta Rizzo in Italy. Many loving cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives survive here, in Toronto, Italy, and Australia.
Maria was predeceased by her husband, Giuseppe Rizzo; her parents Nicola and Giulia Sanzo; father and mother-in-law Nicola and Rosaria Rizzo; siblings Antonio Sanzo, Franca Daniele, Maria “Nella” Badolato, and Salvatore Sanzo; in-laws, Franco Daniele, Francesco (Bruna) Rizzo, Teresa (Francesco) Rizzo; as well as, many loving Aunts, Uncles and other family members.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 29, 2024 when family and friends will gather in St. Anthony’s R.C. Church for the Funeral Mass beginning at 12:00 p.m. celebrated by Rev. Luigi Filipini. Visitation for friends will be held or 1 hour prior to the Funeral Mass. The entombment will take place at Suset Memorial Gardens. Those unable to attend the services may do so via the livestream link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMabZ_KaTq4.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre or a charity of your choice. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.
