Mary Ann Rizzo

Mary Ann (Dorazio) Rizzo, 88, of Greensburg, died Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, at home. She was born Nov. 18, 1934, in Derry, a daughter of the late Joseph and Julia Dellavechio Dorazio. Mary Ann grew up in Derry with her parents, Joseph and Julia Dorazio, and three siblings, Nancy, Ben and Joseph "Diz". This was where she developed her lifelong devotion to the Blessed Mother and praying the rosary every day. During high school at Derry Borough, she caught Vince Rizzo's eye, but it wasn't until years later that the two would meet again for a Pirates baseball game, and finally marry in 1963. They epitomized the phrase, "opposites attract." Mary Ann was the social butterfly who loved to dance, and Vince was more the wall flower who watched her from afar. After graduation from Derry Borough high school in 1952, Mary Ann attended Allegheny General Hospital Training School for Nurses, in Pittsburgh, graduating in 1955. Soon after, she began her nursing career at AGH that lasted until she began having children. Mary Ann was like a maestro, running a household of three children, born three years in a row. She volunteered her time at her kids' schools for library duty, field trips, band and book fairs as well as assisting at many Brownie and Girl Scout activities. Despite retiring from nursing, Mary Ann became the neighborhood nurse for anything from skinned knees of kids who fell off their bikes, to friends who needed allergy shots administered. She always referred to herself as "an old nurse." During their retirement years, she and Vince were blessed to be able to travel to many parts of the world including Italy, Greece, Scotland, Colorado and Alaska. Vince was even able to get her out onto a boat on the Colorado River during one of their trips. She was blessed with many talents, including a green thumb, which nurtured plants around the house and flowers in the yard. She loved baking, tole painting, ceramics, embroidery, sewing and quilting that created a treasure trove of heirlooms for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. Quilting was Mary Ann's passion, but she was forced to give it up due to advanced dry macular degeneration in recent years. Mary Ann will be remembered most for her devotion to the Holy Rosary. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers. Mary Ann is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Vince; one son, Jim Rizzo (Lynne Thomas), of Greensburg; her two daughters, Beth Ann Kemerer (Ray), of Murrysville, and Pamela Livolsi (Tim), of Greensburg; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; her sister, Nancy Curnow; and numerous nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate the life of Mary Ann from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday in the CLEMENT L. PANTALONE FUNERAL HOME INC., 409 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, PA 15601, 724-837-0020. Prayers of transfer will be said in the funeral home at 9 a.m. Saturday, followed by a funeral Mass to be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. in the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral. Interment will follow in Greensburg Catholic Cemetery. Mary Ann's family has entrusted her care to the Pantalone Funeral Home Inc., Greensburg.  For online condolences/directions, visit us at pantalone.com. Natale N. Pantalone, supervisor.