Lena (Martorana) Rizzo

Lena Rizzo

March 3, 1934 – April 26, 2020

 Beloved Mother, Grandmother, Sister and Aunt, 86

It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of Lena (nee Martorana) Rizzo, 86, formerly of Nutley, NJ, who passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 26, 2020 at her home with her family.  Because of current health crisis, private funeral services will be held with an entombment at Immaculate Conception Chapel Mausoleum, Upper Montclair.  A memorial service will be celebrated at a later date.

Lena was born in Bagheria, Sicily, Italy where she grew up with her seven siblings.  She emigrated to the Bloomfield, NJ as a young woman, then returned to marry the love of her life, Cosimo Rizzo.  In 1958, they both settled in Bloomfield where they had three sons.  Lena, a strong and capable woman, raised her three sons alone after the passing of her husband in 1968.

Lena was the life of the party and loved to make everyone laugh.  Cooking for her family and friends was her passion, and her door was always open for anyone who wanted a delicious meal, a cup of espresso, or a good game of cards.  Lena was always on the go, and loved to travel and be surrounded by her family and friends.  She was the center of the family and cherished every moment she had with her children and grandchildren. 

Lena is survived by her beloved sons Pasquale and his wife Lorraine, Paul and his wife Anna, and Cosmo, Jr. and his wife Lucy; her grandchildren Cosmo, Michele, Vito, Pasquale, Victoria and Paul; her sister Marie Gagliano, her brother Mike Martorana and his wife Marie, her sister Santa Buttitta and her husband Anthony, her brother Joseph; and many nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved and touched deeply.  She will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts.

She is predeceased by her husband Cosimo Rizzo, her brothers Russell and Gino Martorana, her sister Catherine Camelleri, her brother-in-law Dominick Gagliano, and her sister-in-law Eileen Martorana.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer Association., www.alz.org.

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