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Marie Rizzio

Marie Rizzio, age 88, of Old Saybrook, passed away peacefully on Nov. 24 with family at her bedside. Marie was born Jan. 29, 1934, in Hartford, and was the daughter of the late Sam and Mary (DeFranco) Filomeno.

In 1956, Marie married the love of her life Anthony Rizzio; and they raised their four devoted children in Wethersfield. Their summer home in Cornfield Point, Old Saybrook, became their pride for cherished beach memories, delicious meals, and many laughs. Marie always welcomed friends and family into both homes with a sense of comfort and belonging.

Marie loved community and volunteering, including being a past president of the Cornfield Point Womens Auxiliary, (CPWA) and an on going member. She was a longtime parishioner of St. John in Old Saybrook, and an active member of their Ladies Guild. In her later years, she looked forward to her Wednesday volunteering and card games at the Estuary, where she continued to make friends and touch people’s lives. She enjoyed many years working at Harvey and Louis Opticians, and loved working with numbers. She proudly worked at Aetna for many years, establishing life long friends from there. After retiring from Aetna, she worked as a bookkeeper for Old Lyme Pharmacy. Marie put 100 percent into any task she took on whether it was work, cooking, volunteering or spending time with her family.

Marie leaves behind her four children: Donna Rizzio of Old Saybrook, Kenneth Rizzio and his wife Donna of Wethersfield, Linda Rizzio Longobardi of Old Saybrook, and Carol Conklin and her husband Timothy of Old Saybrook. Marie, “Meem,” also leaves behind her treasured grandchildren: Cara Henderson of Old Saybrook, Dana Longobardi of Boston, Christopher Rizzio and his wife Jessica of Newington, Michele Longobardi of Old Saybrook, Paul Rizzio and his partner Kaz Majkowski of Unionville, Katie Conklin of Old Saybrook, and Darienne and Nicholas Moncada of Middletown. Marie took pride in her two great-grandchildren, Connor and Avery Henderson of Old Saybrook, who loved their “Gigi.”

She was predeceased by her beloved late husband Anthony Rizzio; her sister Anna DiCiccio; brother Joseph Filomeno; and most recently, her grandson Steven Paparella. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends who remember her for her unconditional love.

A celebration of Marie’s life will be held at noon Saturday, Dec. 17, at St.Patrick-St. Anthony church in Hartford. A memorial Mass was held in Old Saybrook on Dec. 9. We want to thank everyone who reached out to us during this difficult time to share their stories and love for Marie. In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted to the Estuary Council of Old Saybrook and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.