Carmela M “Carmelina” (Della Cioppa) Rizzo passed away peacefully on Friday, October 6th, 2023 at Academy Manor Nursing Home in Andover, MA. She was 85. Born and raised in Bellona, Italy, Carmela was the daughter of Carlo Della Cioppa and Rosa DiNuccio.
Carmela grew up in a large, loving family with her parents, three sisters and a brother, all of whom pre-deceased her. She immigrated to the United States when she was 14 years old, and met her future husband, Alfonso Rizzo, on a trip home to see her family a few years later. They married soon after and spent 66 years together, parting only due to the recent death of her beloved Alfonso. They are survived by their sons Anthony Rizzo and his wife Lucia of Andover, MA; Carmen Rizzo and his wife Lucille of Springfield, MA; grandsons Thomas Rizzo of Chestnut Hill, MA, Peter Rizzo of Charlestown, MA, Louis Rizzo and his wife Jessica of Bristol, RI, Mark Rizzo and his wife Nancy of Blandford, MA and granddaughter Christa Forget and her husband Doug of Springfield, MA; four great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Carmela was a fiercely independent, generous, private person who loved her family. She worked as a seamstress for many years, and eventually moved on to a career in retail. She was a great cook. Carmela and her beloved Alfonso enjoyed having family and friends to share in Sunday afternoon meals, and always made sure there was enough so visitors could take some home. She was loved and will be deeply missed.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visit at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, on Friday, October 13th from 9:30 through 11 AM with a funeral service immediately following in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 441 Fellsway West, Medford. Internment will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.