Civitina M. “Tina” Rigione passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at her Medford home on September 19th. She was 98. Born and raised in Somerville, she was the daughter of the late Salvatore and Jenny (DiFazio) Antetomaso.
Tina was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Although she worked in banking for many years, Tina primarily devoted her time to her family and friends. At home she enjoyed working on puzzles, but she loved to go out to eat and visit the casino. Short in stature, but big on laughter, Tina was the true life of the party. Her vivacious personality had a profound impact on all the people she knew. She grew up on Lewis St. in Somerville and was an integral part of the neighborhood. She would go out for walks and check out what was happening. With her very loving generosity of spirit, everyone knew this spitfire as “Auntie Tina.” For entertainment, she essentially “worshipped” the music of Elvis Presley.
The beloved wife of the late Dominic Rigione, Tina was a devoted mother to James Rigione and his wife Anne and Joanne Johnson. She was a loving grandmother to Christine Machado and her husband Brandon, Stephanie Rigione, and James Johnson and his partner Sarah Currier. She was a loving great grandmother to Ellie and Tatiana Machado. She was a dear sister to the late Margaret Mazzeo and Anthony Antetomaso. She was a dear aunt to Dianne Mazzeo and her late husband John Mazzeo Sr., and Marie Mazzeo. She was a dear great aunt to John Mazzeo Jr., Deanna Mazzeo, Lauren Bateman and her wife Megan, and Jeannette Bateman-Kahn and her husband Doug Kahn. She was a dear great great aunt to John Mazzeo III, and Ashley Mazzeo. Tina was also the great aunt of Linda Rinaldi and the great aunt of Gina Rinaldi-Furey.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visit at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Monday, September 29 from 10 – 11 AM, with a funeral service to follow at 11 AM. Services will conclude with burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Tina’s name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memorials Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or visit www.stjude.org.