Jeanne. Rizzoli

Jeanne (nee Flavin) Rizzoli (July 28,1931-September 11, 2025)
Jeanne (or Jeanie as she liked to be called) rarely failed to generate a smile or laugh from those around her. Whether it was her loud and boisterous singing, her frank (and somewhat inappropriate) observations or her daily "YoooooHooooo" to anyone in earshot, she brought joy and a sense of fun to family and friends. She enjoyed Martinis and Happy Hour, dancing and crossword puzzles, her Santa Claus collection and finding a good bargain.
Jeanne was born in Edwardsville, Illinois to parents James and Virginia Flavin and raised on Eberhart Avenue with her much loved older brother Jimmy. Her family was a musical one and recordings still exist of her sweet voice singing along with her mom, dad, and brother on various instruments.
She attended Edwardsville High School where she met her future husband John Rizzoli when they were both members of the marching band. Family legend has it that trombonist (and upper classman) John emptied his spit valve on saxophonist (and freshman) Jeanne. She was smitten! Jeanne was a loyal member and secretary of the EHS Class of 1949 and organized class reunions for many years.
After a year at Illinois Wesleyan University, Jeanne returned to Edwardsville to serve as Society Editor of the Edwardsville Intelligencer. This experience was the start of a lifelong love of writing-amusing poems, well-crafted letters and newspaper submissions all got her special touch.
Jeanne and John married in 1951 and after two years at the Army Chemical Center in Maryland (where Jeanne's civilian security clearance was higher than John's as an Army engineer), they returned to Wood River, Illinois to raise their family of four children-Pat, Susan, Tom and Ann.
Through the years, Jeanne was a homemaker and mom, a Girl Scout leader and Den Mother, a PTA officer and a Women's Club volunteer. As the kids left the nest, Jeanne took a position as an administrative assistant at Wood River Township Hospital.
After retirement, Jeanne and John became snowbirds at The Bluffs of Sebring (Florida) and established a permanent residence in Rockford, Illinois. In 2005, they relocated to Kingwood, Texas where Jeanne led line dancing and was an active member of the local Y, even representing the Y in a their own "Dancing with the Stars" competition.
Her final home was Monarch Landing in Naperville, Illinois where she resided in Independent Living. She eventually moved into Memory Care at Prairie Place at the Springs where she entertained staff with her songs and commentary. Jeanne's family is forever grateful for the wonderful care and patience of the Memory Care staff.
Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband John L. Rizzoli, her parents James T. Flavin Sr and Virginia (nee Hammett) Flavin and brother James T. Flavin Jr as well as her sisters-in-law Lynn Flavin and Mary Sturm and her son-in-law Steven Urycki.
She is survived by children Patricia Aguglia, Susan (Douglas) Bennett, Thomas (Valerie) Rizzoli, and Ann Urycki; and by her grandchildren Gina (Matt Tye) Aguglia, Matt Bennett and Emily (Dan Monckton) Bennett, Patrick (Lauren) Rizzoli, and Cristy (Will) Kierdorf, and Stephanie (John) Bennett and James (Rennatta) Urycki. She was proud to have eight great-grandchildren including CJ and Amelia Monckton; Kate, Hazel, and Jane Rizzoli; and Harper Urycki (who nicknamed her Grandma No-No), Caroline and Thomas Bennett.
Jeanne's family will hold a private celebration of her life at a later date.
Remembrances may be made in the form of a donation to the Alzheimer's Association.