Lori O'Heron Rizzo

1958 - 2016

SILVER SPRING, Md. - Lori O'Heron Rizzo, 57, of Silver Spring, Md., died Thursday afternoon (May 26, 2016) at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring.

Born in Hornell on Nov. 23, 1958, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Sherry (Carter) O'Heron.

Lori graduated from Hornell High School in 1976, and received her Bachelor of Science in Graphic Arts from Nazareth College in 1980.

Lori married Anthony (Tony) Rizzo at St. Ann's Church in Hornell on March 27, 1982, and moved to Syracuse, where they resided until relocating to Maryland in 1995.

She worked for Syracuse University, and for several advertising agencies in the Syracuse area until the births of her sons Eric in 1987 and Patric in 1991, then continued her art career independently while focusing her energies on raising her sons.

First diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 7, Lori battled to overcome the devastating effects of that disease and thrive as a daughter, sister, wife and mother.

Lori served on the Board of Directors of the Arthritis Foundation of Central New York.

In later years, Lori, and her service dog, Banjo, made appearances at schools throughout Maryland as a Disabilities Awareness Program speaker, talking about her life with arthritis and using a wheelchair.

She volunteered her art skills for numerous programs at the schools attended by her sons; with the Boy Scouts of America as a Merit Badge Counselor, and as a coach and judge for the Destination Imagination program.

Lori is survived by her husband, Tony Rizzo and their sons, Eric and Patric, all of Silver Spring; her sisters, Kim O'Heron of Hume, Va., and Kelly (Jack) Grillo of South Dansville; step-sister, Mary Joy Valentine; step-mother, Sandy O'Heron; best friend, Lynn Washburn of Webster, many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family of Lori O'Heron Rizzo will receive friends Saturday (June 4, 2016) from 1-3 p.m., at the Bender-Brown & Powers Funeral Home, 354 Canisteo St. in Hornell. A prayer service will be held at 3 p.m., with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating. A private burial will follow the service at St. Mary's Cemetery.
Please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com to leave a condolence for the family.

Lori's family requests that memorial contributions in her name be made to Canine Companions for Independence at http://www.cci.org/