Loretta Frances Rispoli

Loretta Frances Rispoli (Leone) passed away on May 23, 2025 at the age of 96.  Born on April 3,1929 to Cesideo Charles Leone and Loretta Cugini Leone in Norwich, CT, Loretta was the youngest of thirteen children.

Loretta graduated Norwich Free Academy in 1947 as an honor student. She followed her dream of becoming a nurse at St. Raphael School of Nursing in New Haven, CT and graduated in 1950 as a registered nurse. The following year she earned a Fellowship from Georgetown University to continue her education, graduating in 1954 with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. In 1955 Loretta joined the U.S. Air Force as a nurse and 1st Lieutenant. Her first assignment was Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina where she met her future husband John Rispoli. She then served at the U.S. Air Force dispensary in Niagata, Japan and Johnson AFB in Tokyo, Japan. She attended Columbia University Teachers College in New York City, NY and earned her Masters in Community Health Administration in 1977.

After returning from Japan in 1957, Loretta married John at St Patrick Cathedral in Norwich, CT. She and John were married for 64 years and had four children: Chuck, Carrie, Chris and Damian. Following her military service and raising her children, Loretta worked as a home health nurse in Virginia and Connecticut for over 20 years. When Loretta and John moved to Palm Coast, FL, she worked as a volunteer in her local hospital for 28 years. In addition to her military service and work as a nurse, she was a devout Catholic, avid sports fan (Go UConn and Notre Dame!), and a loving grandmother and great grandmother. 

Preceded in death by her parents Cesideo and Loretta Leone; siblings Daniel and wife Molly Leone, Charles and wife Gladys Leone, Patrick and wife Irene Leone, Arthur and wife Glenda Leone, Pauline Leone, Ida and husband Anthony Calgi, Adeline and husband Leonard Counihan, Carmella and husband Charles Balczun; and grandson Joshua Rispoli. 

Survived by her son Chuck Rispoli and wife Cindy, daughter Carrie Rohde and husband Dan, son Chris Rispoli and partner Jeff Smith, and son Damian Rispoli and wife Vicki.

Grandchildren Tony and Carly Rispoli, Jonathan and Jessica Rispoli, Kristina Rispoli, Krysta and Matt Zangle, Nat and Shelby Rohde, Devon and DJ Adams, Dana and John McGowan, Zack Rispoli, Bethany Rispoli, Vivian Rispoli and Erica Rispoli. 

Great grandchildren Tyler and fiancé Tori Rispoli, Emma Rispoli, Breanna Reynolds, Jaysen and Karolyn Rispoli, Annie, Claire and Emily Zangle, Margot Rohde, June and Austin Adams, and Crew McGowan. 

As well as many nieces and nephews and extended family members.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Wounded Warrior Project.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 28, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Richmond Hill Funeral Home.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 29, 2025 at St. Anne Catholic Church. 

Burial will follow at the Georgia Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Glennville, GA. 

“Please join the family at the Rohde’s  531 Mingarry Dr Richmond Hill GA after the cemetery service”