Mary J. Rizzo
3/2/2015

Mary J. Rizzo (Grasso), 93, of Medford, formerly of Somerville, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2015, surrounded by her loving family. Mary was born on October 16, 1921 in Boston’s North End. She graduated from Girls’ High and Burdett College in Boston. She worked as a Social Worker for the State of Massachusetts until her retirement in1988.

During World War II, Mary was a member of the Massachusetts Women’s Defense Corp and drove an ambulance. One of her assignments was duty at Boston’s infamous “Cocoanut Grove” fire in 1942.

Mary was an avid dancer in her younger days and loved to dance the night away with her husband at the Yacht Club doing the “Hully Gully”. She also loved to crotchet and made many afghans for her family and friends. She donated many of her afghans to local nursing homes and hospitals.

Predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Tony, Mary leaves her two daughters, Elaine Gaughan and her husband Michael of Medford and Joanne Crosley and her husband Mitchell of Middleton. She is also survived by her loving grandchildren, whom she cherished, Michael DeVivo of Medford, Sean and Marisa Crosley both of Middleton. She leaves her beloved sister-in-law Catherine Giangrande of Medford, along with her nieces and her “special daughter” Cheryl Blundell of Middleton.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Friday, March 6, from 4 to 8 PM at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford with funeral services held at Grace Episcopal Church, 160 High St., Medford on Saturday, March 7 at 10 AM. Interment will follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery, 500 Canterbury St., Boston, MA.

Mary was a Partner in Hope with St. Jude’s and donations may be made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

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Dello Russo Funeral Service
306 Main Street
Medford, MA USA 02155
781-396-9200