Olga Rizzo

Olga Rizzo March 8, 1925 - April 24, 2010 Olga Rizzo died peacefully on April 24, 2010 surrounded by her seven children. She was preceded in death by Sam, her husband of 63 years. Survivors include her children Prudy, Matteo, Mario, Maria, Salvatore, Angela and Joseph, their spouses, her 16 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Olga was born on March 8, 1925 in San Severo, Italy. The youngest of nine children, Olga loved to cook and her specialty was her homemade pizza, pasta, and biscotti. During WWII Olga was a young woman living with her eldest sister. To show their gratitude for the American soldiers stationed in their hometown, Olga & her sister would cook homemade meals for the GIs. One night, Sam came to dinner. It was love at first sight. They were married on May 7, 1945. They exited the church as husband and wife to cheering soldiers and towns people celebrating the just announced end of war in Europe. Olga was an active member of the Italian Catholic Federation (ICF) since 1972. For over 37 years she served in various roles, including second vice president of Branch 20 in San Francisco. In 1999, in recognition of their tireless service Sam and Olga received one of the ICFs highest honors; the Grand Presidents Award. Olga was active in her Daly City/Broadmoor community and loved to work with children. For nearly 30 years she served as a yard duty attendant at Benjamin Franklin Middle School and Garden Village Elementary School. If you were a student at either school in the late 70s through the early 90s, you probably knew Olga as Grandma. She loved and cared for all of the children. Olga spent her life caring for others. She would often say that if she had her life to live over again she would not change a thing. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She brought joy to everyone she met. She was one of a kind and there will never be anyone else like her. She will be dearly missed. Friends may visit Wednesday after 5:00pm and are invited to attend the Vigil Wednesday 7:00pm and the Funeral Mass Thursday 11:00am ALL AT Church of the Epiphany located at 827 Vienna St., SF. Committal Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in Olgas name to the Italian Catholic Federations (ICF) Charitable Programs: Cooleys Anemia Research or Gifts of Love. The mailing address is ICF 8393 Capwell Drive, Suite 110, Oakland, CA 94621.