Erminia D'Angelo Rizzo died peacefully on Nov. 29, 2012, at Memory Garden, formerly, living for many years at 67 Campbell Ave. Born on July 6, 1922, she was now 90.
Her parents were John D'Angelo and Luisa D'Andrea D'Angelo. She was born in Pratola Peligna, Province of L'Aquila, in Abruzzo, Italy. The family immigrated to America when Erminia was 7 years old. Life in America focused on close family ties, hard work, and excelling in school - with education forever the key to self-fulfillment. She gra-duated from Jamestown High School in 1941 with the Secretarial diploma.
Erminia worked for the Jamestown Public Schools as secretary to Principal Arvid F. Mitchell of Love School and Principal DeWitt M. Eddy of Rogers School. At that time, only Love School and Rogers School in the city had a school secretary working half-day at these two schools. Shortly thereafter she worked for Principal Harold J. Donley of Lin-coln Junior High School, which was a full-time job. She loved working for junior high teachers and students, and they loved her. During the summer months, she worked at the central administration building.
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On July 24, 1948, Er-minia married Marion (Muddy) Rizzo in the old St. John's Roman Catholic Church, where she was soprano soloist in its first choir. Marion and Erminia celebrated 62 years of marriage on July 24, 2010. Marion passed on Sept. l8, 2010.
Erminia is survived by her son, Carl M. Rizzo and wife, Jennifer of Huntersville, N.C.; daughter, Cindy L. Rizzo Richetti and husband, Don of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; and 11 grandchildren: Alison, Holden, and Olivia Rizzo; Ryan and Logan Richetti, Vanessa Richetti De La Rosa (husband Michael), and Rachel Richetti deceased; Dr. Shannon, Matthew, Katelyn, and Kelly McCarthy; sister, Frances T. D'Angelo; sis-ter, Mary and brother-in-law, Albin Derecki, both deceased; sister-in-law, Connie Stin-net; nephews, Robert and Owen; and niece, Valerie.
Erminia fulfilled a lifelong dream to return to Italy in 1984, arriving in Rome with Marion on their wedding anniversary, visiting her birthplace and reuniting with relatives.
Erminia was a member of St. John's R.C. Church, the church choir, the B.V.M. Sodality, Gaeta Club, Town Club, and Lakewood Rod & Gun Club. She served for many years as an election inspector at Ring School.
She loved and was very good at cooking, baking, cleaning, sewing outfits for her children, and keeping house. With the birth of her first child, she stopped working to be full-time homemaker. Erminia will be remembered and honored by her loving family for dedicating her life to providing a very wonderful home for her husband and children.
Erminia's favorite activities included music, with singing a special favorite. She was the soloist at early St. John's Church at weddings. Her love of the clas-sics, especially opera, is a result of her father's love and participation in orches-tral bands in Italy and America. She had a great love and appreciation for the arts, and a deep love for music.
As a naturalized citizen of the U.S., she cherished her American citizenship while also being very proud of her Italian heritage.
The family would like to gratefully acknowledge the extraordinary care she re-ceived from Dr. John LaMancuso, Hospice Chautauqua County, and the wonderful staff at Memory Garden. If you so desire, you may make a contribution in Memory of Erminia to Hospice Chautauqua County, 20 West Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY l4750.
The funeral will be held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, (today) in the Lind Fun-eral Home. Deacon Samuel Pellerito of Holy Apostles Parish will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Falconer, N.Y.
Friends will be received from 5-6:30 p.m. today in the funeral home.
You may light a candle in remembrance of Erminia at www.lindfuneralhome. com