Gilda Rizzi

February 20, 1922 - September 9, 2020

Gilda Rizzi was born in Italy on February 20, 1922. She was predeceased in death by her son, Patrick V. Rizzi on June 14, 2004, and is survived by her three daughters, Anna Rizzi Hartman (Frank, Deceased), Joann Johnson (Gene) and Gilda Greene (Russell) and her grandchildren, Gina Balcom (Tom), Jessica Bordner (Michael), Jaclyn Johnson (David), Marc Greene(Ashley), and three great grandchildren, Ashley Balcom, Logan James Greene and Sienna Rae Bordner and her daughter in law, Diane Rizzi. A special mention to her cousin, Delfina Delpozzo who always showed respect and concern for Mom until her death. Mom died on September 9, 2020. Mom’s family were immigrants from Italy and she was 12 years old when she came to the United States. She worked very hard and life was not always easy which molded the person Mom was. She was a successful business woman in a time period when it was not fashionable that a woman alone be in the business world. She was a survivor of those times in which she lived. Mom achieved many accomplishments in her lifetime, fine restaurants, and being awarded “Top Chef”. Everything Mom set out to do, she did with passion and from her heart. No one can live as long as Mom and not have a story to tell. Many stories were enjoyed by her grandchildren of the struggles and situations she and her family growing up survived when coming to this country. Mom had an exciting, adventurous life that most people would not experience in their lifetime, adding to the person Mom was. Mom had an infectious smile and loved to dance and sing even at 98 years of age. Especially the Italian songs that were so close to her heart, Her latest and highest achievement came at the age of 84 years old, after the death of her son Patrick Rizzi. Mom delved into God’s Word the Bible wanting to understand why people die and suffer, especially seeing her son suffer so much as a young person and at his death. When Mom studied the Bible, her whole world opened up for the first time and all her questions she had were starting to be answered. Gilda was a diligent student and proved to herself that all versions of Bibles said the same thing and had the same message, perhaps different wording, but the message was all the same. Once she learned how to navigate the Bible, she could search for answers to her questions on her own. She now understood the meaning of the Lord’s Prayer that she had said all her life, and what that Kingdom truly is and now understood what she was really praying for. This was a message she wanted to share with everyone she met and to her family, at times strongly because of her conviction. Mom was always passionate in what she believed and certainly spoke out about it. Mom became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on February 17, 2007. The family welcomes your expressions and stories that will add to the memory of Gilda Rizzi on the Palm Beach Memorial website. The Memorial for Gilda Rizzi will be held on October 10, 2020 at 2:00 PM on Zoom. Information on the connection to the Zoom Memorial service will be published shortly. To ensure the health and safety of our community, we are following all guidelines set by local, state and CDC officials. If you are planning on attending a service, please contact the funeral home in advance, so that we can plan accordingly.