Ann Riazzi

Riazzi, Ann Fitzgerald

Ann Fitzgerald Riazzi, 88, of Kettering, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 18, 2025. A beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and sister, she is survived by her seven sons, two daughters, 26 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, her sister, Ellen Mitchell, of Cincinnati, and brother James Fitzgerald and his wife Leslie, also of Cincinnati. Ann was born in Dayton, OH, on May 6, 1937, attending Corpus Christi Catholic School and Juliene High School. At the University of Dayton she met Carmen Riazzi, a Flyer basketball captain, and upon graduation the two married-a union that lasted 66 years. Family and friends knew her as the gentlest soul and the most patient, loving person they ever met. Her humor, playfulness, and empathy are forever woven into her family's DNA alongside her pride in her Irish heritage. Ann always saw the absolute best in every person. She loved to read, to listen to music, and to enjoy the occasional Jameson. ("But just a small one.") She was a natural-born matriarch, a source of constant nurturing, reassurance, compassion, and kindness. Her love of and dedication to children was a lifelong theme. Until her final day, she lit up at the sight of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, greeting everyone with a warm smile, a big hug, and-without fail to the youngest among them-a genuine, loving, "Hi, sweetheart." A mother of ten who somehow made each child feel like they were her only focus, Ann poured every ounce of herself into her family. She was a selfless protector, advisor, champion, confidant, and unwavering fan. Her belief in her children was absolute, her love for them infinite. Nowhere was that more clear than in the way that she and Carmen committed to caring for their developmentally disabled daughter, Reenie. For 33 years, Reenie lived a life of happiness and joy thanks to her devoted, adoring parents' sacrifices. Ann and Carmen took on their duty to Reenie with full hearts and zero complaints, giving of themselves in ways that showed their children what it means to truly love someone. Ann and Carmen were proud, original charter members of St. Charles Borromeo parish, which later became another example of Ann's commitment to children. Because, after dedicating her life to raising her own kids, she returned to the University of Dayton to earn her recertification in education, becoming a St. Charles first grade teacher and impacting hundreds of children in the community. She was a tireless, wholehearted mother to her 10 kids and grandma to her grandchildren: Timothy (wife Barb; children Kevin, Brian, Mark and Philip); Maureen; John (wife Jill; children Abbigail, James, Carmen, Andrew and Peter), Patrick (wife Loretta; children Molly, Joseph, John and Nicholas); Kathleen Shope (husband Scott; children Marguerite and Michael); Michael; Matthew; Elizabeth Schaefer (husband Robert; children Jacob, Ann, Nathaniel and Dominic); Daniel (wife Erin; children Curtis, Ian, William and James); and Anthony (wife Margaret; children Henry, Grace and Rose). She was preceded in death by her loving husband Carmen, daughter Maureen, mother Marguerite Cummins Fitzgerald, father James Leo Fitzgerald, sister Sister Agatha (Mary Jean) Fitzgerald, and brother-in-law Ned McCallum. Ann will be remembered forever for the light that she brought and the love that she showed to all who were lucky enough to know her. If a person's time on earth is ultimately measured by the people they affect and the lives they shape, then no one has ever lived life more fully, more lovingly, and more completely than Ann Riazzi. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, September 26, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church (411 E 2nd St, Dayton, OH 45402) at 10:00 a.m., followed immediately by burial at Calvary Cemetery. The family will welcome guests for a true Irish celebration of Ann's life from 12–4 p.m. at The Dublin Pub. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ann's honor may be made to the Maureen "Reenie" Riazzi Fund at the Dayton Foundation.