With profound sadness and broken hearts, we announce the passing of our Mother, Lidia Rizzuto age 92 years, a resident of Thunder Bay, in Hogarth-Riverview Manor, on Monday, October 23, 2017 surrounded by her family. Lidia was born March 7, 1925 in Pedivigliano, Cosenza, Italy to Carmine and Concetta (Costanzo) Maletta. It was in her small hometown that she met and married the love of her life, Francesco. It was a simple life they led, working hard on their land, but when circumstances allowed, Lidia’s life was also filled with gatherings, food, song and celebration with family and fellow Pediviglianese, a camaraderie that lasted a lifetime. In 1956 along with her two oldest children, the young family immigrated to Fort William with hopes of a better future. The joys of Mom’s life were her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a fabulous cook who loved to feed everyone who came into her home, making sure no one left hungry. She loved working in her garden during the summer months, enjoyed the trips taken to visit family abroad with Australia being the most memorable. She attended Mass faithfully and was a devoted member of St. Dominic’s Church since 1956. Our Mother was a woman of tremendous fortitude, stamina, fierce independence, patience, selflessness, determination and great faith. She was the inspiration in our lives and a pillar of strength, love and hope. Left to mourn her loss are children Silvana (Italo) Sarti, Joe Rizzuto, Mary (Roger) Stein and Sandra Lebel (Doug Roberts), her grandchildren Connie (Cosimo), Kathy (Carlos), Joleen (Mark), Frank (Melanie), Joseph (Lana), Matthew (Nicki) and Eric and great grandchildren Courtney, Lindsay, Brittany, Matteo and Quinn.Mom is also survived by her dear sister, Marietta Falvo and sisters-in-law Rosa Rizzuto (Thunder Bay) and Francesca Rizzuto (Pedivigliano). Close to her heart were her nieces and nephews in Thunder Bay Aurora (John) McKay, Fern (Len) Favot, Ronnie (Vicki) Falvo, Joe (Lana) Rizzuto, Catherine (Tim) Matthews, Enza (Ron) Michaliuk and Ernesta Rizzuto. She leaves behind many other nieces, nephews and cousins abroad. She was predeceased by her parents Carmine and Concetta Maletta, her beloved husband Francesco, son-in-law Todd Lebel, brother and sister-in-law Rosalbino and Adelaide Maletta, brothers-in-law Felice Falvo and Ugo Rizzuto, nephew Marcello Falvo and numerous other relatives. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 27, 2017 when family and friends will gather for Funeral Mass at 11:00 am, at St. Dominic's Church celebrated by Rev. Maurizio Maifredi. A private family interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at the Blake Funeral Chapel from 6-8:00 pm with Vigil Prayers at 8:00 pm. If friends desire, memorials to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of choice would be appreciated.
We thank God for the gift of our Mother.
To the world, she was but one.
But to us, she was the world.
FINO A QUANDO CI INCONTRIAMO DI NUOVO
