Betty (Rizzo) Gioffre

Benedetta “Betty” Rizzo Gioffre, a lifelong resident of Port Chester, New York, passed away on November 5, 2024 at the age of 95 at Danbury Hospital. For the past four years, Betty resided at Ridgefield Station Assisted Living in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Betty is predeceased by her beloved husband of nearly 72 years, Anthony J. Gioffre (Tony), the devoted and loving mother of Anthony J. (Denise, dec; Mary) Gioffre, Jr., Francyne Peatt and Marybeth (Paul) Nisco; grandmother to Daniel (Bette) Gioffre, Matthew (Samantha) Gioffre, Teddy Peatt, Rebecca, Andrew and Gabriella Nisco; great grandmother to Denise and Penelope Gioffre, Benjamin and Caroline Gioffre.  

Betty was born in Port Chester on February 26,1929. She was the oldest daughter of Joseph Rizzo and Mary Bocchichio Rizzo and the sister to Ann Marie Rizzo De Rosa who all predeceased her. She is survived by many beloved nieces and nephews both local and in Italy. 

Betty graduated from Port Chester High School and was a voracious reader. She loved school and especially loved history. When World War II broke out, Betty kept correspondence with her high school sweetheart and Tony and Betty married on July 4, 1948 when Tony returned home from the war. They soon began their family living the American dream. Like those from the Greatest Generation, Betty epitomized the values of hard work, sacrifice, family, and faith. Betty was known for her sharp wit, sense of humor and loved to laugh. Betty was loyal to her family, cooking delicious Italian meals and baking desserts for every occasion as well as taking care of her grandchildren when needed. Her recipes will continue to live on in her family. In addition to taking care of her family, Betty worked outside the household spending the majority of her career as an Insurance Underwriter for Irving Walt Insurance and then Rosen and Company in Rye Brook. She also took on a second job and worked part time as a bookkeeper for The Army and Navy in Port Chester for many years. 

Devoted to her faith, Betty served as a Religious Education teacher for Corpus Christi Church in Port Chester for many years. After a two-year discernment process, she became a Salesian Cooperator, dedicated to the spirit of Saint John Bosco and the Salesian mission, and volunteered her time to help the church in many capacities, including working at the Annual Corpus Christi Carnival. Additionally, Betty volunteered to work the polls every Election Day and serve her community. 

In addition to spending time with her loving family, Betty enjoyed playing Bingo every Tuesday night and actively participated with the Rye Town Seniors.  She enjoyed painting, knitting, and crocheting -making blankets for all her grandchildren. She loved to read historical novels, watch mysteries, complete crossword puzzles and was a lifelong fan of “the Yanks”, as she lovingly called them. 

Visitation will be 4-8PM on Friday November 8, 2024 at Craft Memorial Home, Inc. Mass of Christian Burial is 10AM on  Saturday November 9, 2024, officiated by Rev. Leszek Szymaszek at St Paul’s Roman Catholic Church 84 Sherwood Ave. Greenwich, Ct. and internment will take place at Greenwood Union Cemetery in Rye, NY

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