Emily (Furnari) Rizzio, 96 of Haverhill , passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 4th, 2015 at the Methuen Health and Rehabilitation Center . She was the beloved wife of the late Vincent Rizzio. Born in Lawrence on July 11, 1918, Emily was the daughter of Salvatore and Ida (Grillo) Furnari. She attended Lawrence schools and worked as an assembler at Western Electric for 14 years until her retirement. In her free time, Emily enjoyed cooking, sewing, crocheting, eating out, and taking care of her grandchildren.
Emily will be deeply missed by her 2 daughters, Jean M. Banaski and her husband, Frank R. of Plaistow and Sheila E. Boisse and her husband, Norman E. of Methuen; sister, Esther Grillo of Methuen; 2 brothers, Lawrence Furnari of Belmont and Anthony Furnari of Methuen; 4 grandchildren, Randy Boisse and his wife Gina, Christopher Boisse and his wife Sara, Robert Banaski and his partner Scott, and Dr. Rebecca Hughes and her husband, Brian; 6 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by 3 sisters Lucy Mancini, Mary Curcio, and Irene Furnari.
Family and friends will honor and celebrate Emily’s life by gathering for calling hours on Wednesday, January 7th, 2015 from 4 - 7PM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street in Methuen . Her funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11 AM at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Methuen . The family has requested, in Emily’s honor, memorial contributions be made to Life Choices Hospice 790 Turnpike Street North Andover MA 01845. For directions or to send an online condolence, please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the Rizzio family.