Obituary of Antoinette Rizzi

Antoinette Rizzi (nee DiGiacomo), a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on November 27, 2025. She was 92.

Born on March 26, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York to the late John and Nancy DiGiacomo (nee Fauci), Antoinette was raised in a warm and lively household that helped shape her generous heart and vibrant spirit. She met the love of her life, Michael Rizzi, in the Poconos; a chance encounter that blossomed into a lifelong partnership. The couple married on April 24, 1954, and began their life together in Brooklyn, where they lovingly raised their family.

When Michael’s career led them to New Jersey, Antoinette and her family settled in Madison, where she would live for the rest of her life. She quickly became a beloved figure in the community, known for her kindness, warmth, and the effortless way she made everyone feel welcome.

Antoinette’s greatest joy was her family. She was loving, giving, and endlessly nurturing, always placing the needs of others before her own. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the lights of her life, and she cared for them with boundless affection.

She loved to cook, especially the Italian dishes that carried the flavors and traditions of her heritage. Holidays, birthdays, or simple Sunday dinners became treasured memories thanks to her talent in the kitchen and her desire to bring people together. Antoinette also enjoyed music and dancing, word search puzzles, and spending time with her beloved beagle, Tippy, who was never far from her side.

Antoinette leaves behind a legacy of love, generosity, and the unwavering devotion she showed to her family. Her memory will continue to warm the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Antoinette is survived by her beloved daughter, Nancy Roberts and her husband Richard; her brother Anthony DiGiacomo; her sisters Margaret DiGiacomo Brock and Lauren DiGiacomo Gambali; her cherished grandchildren Christina Iantosca and her husband Mark, Patricia Paddack and her husband Thomas, and Richard Roberts and his wife Kailyn; her treasured great-grandchildren Olivia Iantosca and Adalyn Paddack; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends who will miss her deeply.

In addition to her parents, Antoinette was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, Michael Rizzi, and her brother Matthew DiGiacomo.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial for Antoinette which will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at St. Vincent Martyr Church, 26 Green Village Road, Madison, NJ. Those who wish to attend the mass virtually may do so by visiting www.svmnj.org.

Interment will follow at St. Vincent's Cemetery, Madison.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in Antoinette's memory to the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM).