Nunzia Tina Rizza

Nunzia Tina (Papa) Rizza, of Wethersfield, beloved wife of the late Salvatore Rizza, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 surrounded by her devoted family. She was born in Palazzolo Acreide, Sicily on October 23, 1936 to Itria and Guiseppe Papa, sibling to Maria Carpino (Andrew), Sebastian Papa (Janet) and Lillian Tavana (Paul) and sister-in-law to Sebastiana Rizza.

Tina was much beloved among her family and friends, and will be greatly missed. As hard working, newly-wed immigrants, Tina and Sal assimilated to the US and became proud citizens. Tina retired from The Travelers Insurance Co. after 20 years of service. She was a member of The Church of the Incarnation in Wethersfield. She was very proud of her Sicilian heritage and her upbringing, which were forever in her heart. She was always sharing the many Sicilian proverbs she learned in her youth, up until the very end. Her greatest passion was her family, providing a welcoming, comfortable home for all of us. She had a gentle grace about her, very happy and thankful to lead a quiet life with Sal. She always had a smile ready for anyone she encountered. Even when dementia took hold of her mind during the last few years of her life, she would still fuss about making sure there was enough food in the fridge to feed any friends or family that dropped by. It was her way of saying “I love you.” We all felt her unwavering love when we were in her presence.

She was predeceased by her husband of 43 years, Salvatore, sisters-in-law, Janet Papa and Francesca Pantano, as well as brothers-in-law Andrew Carpino, Guiseppe Pantano and Sebastian Rizza.

Tina is survived by her beloved children, daughter Anna Stevens and son Paul Rizza and her devoted son-in-law and daughter-in-law, Scott Stevens and Helen Rizza. She was a very proud Nonna to grandsons Eric Stevens (Tori) of Richmond, VA and Bill Stevens of Boston, MA and will be forever missed by her adored nieces and nephews, as well as relatives in Italy and Sicily.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 30 at 11:30 a.m. in the Church of the Incarnation of Christ the King Parish, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church. Entombment will be private. Family and friends may call on Friday from 5-7 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield. To share a memory of Tina with her family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com.