Lillian Mary Alegi Riva of Taunton, MA passed away peacefully at her home with her family by her side on Sept 10, 2014.
She was the eldest daughter of the late Elsa Nigra Alegi and Lavinio F. Alegi, formally of Fano, Italy and Taunton, MA.
For 64 years, she was the beloved wife of Ramo F. Riva. Devoted mother of Brenda Ruggiero and her husband William of Taunton, MA, Randall Riva and his wife Diane of Winchester, MA and Cynthia Sullivan and her husband Patrick of Taunton, MA
Loving grandmother of Brianne Gore and her husband Javin of Boston, Ryan Ruggiero of Edgewater, NJ, Marina Riva of Boston, MA , Renee Riva of Boston, MA, Brittany Sullivan of Boston, MA and Patrick Sullivan Jr. of Taunton, MA and proud great- grandmother of Tabor William Gore of Boston, MA.
She was the cherished sister of Gilbert F. Alegi and his wife Lorette and Laura Patneaude and her husband Robert, both of Taunton, MA and is survived by several dear nieces, nephews and cousins.
Lillian was a graduate of Walker Grammar School where she was the president of her 8th grade class. She graduated magna cum laude from Taunton High School in 1947 where Lillian received the Spanish medal for excellence. Lillian was fluent in 4 foreign languages and received a full tuition scholarship to Bridgewater State College for foreign language study.
Following graduation, Lillian was an IBM operator at the silver company Reed and Barton. As a member of the Riva family, she helped establish the famous Gondola Restaurant which she owned with her family for more than 55 years.
She was a member of the Peter B. Gay Sons of Italy Lodge, the Taunton Italian Social Club, the Taunton Junior Women’s Club, the Immaculate Conception Women’s Guild, the Coyle and Cassidy High School Mothers’ Club and the Weir Seniors.
During the winter months, Lillian enjoyed vacationing at her home in Pompano Beach, Florida. Lillian’s summers were spent at her beach house in Point Independence, Onset, MA where she enjoyed spending time by the bay with her family.
In her spare time Lillian enjoyed shopping, tending to her rose garden, crocheting, antiquing, ceramics, and endless phone conversations with family and friends including her many dear cousins in Italy.
Her illness did not hold her back from taking a family trip this past April to Rome and Fano, Italy. She was devoted to her Catholic faith and was a member of the former Immaculate Conception Church and now St. Mary’s Parish.
Calling hours will be held at the O’Keefe-Wade Funeral Home, 70 Washington Street in Taunton on Monday, September 15th from 4-8 PM. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St Mary’s Church in Taunton on Tuesday September 16th at 10 AM. Interment St Joseph Cemetery in Taunton.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Lillian’s memory to:
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute-Dr. Peter Enzinger Research Fund,
Mail to Dr. Peter Enzinger, 450 Brookline Avenue, Room D1220, Boston, MA 02215
or
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via
www.dana-faber.org/gift.