Grace Merlene Rinzivillo

Grace Merlene Rinzivillo of Montrose, NY passed away on Friday, January 20, 2017 at the age of 97. Merlene was born to Henry N. and Mae (Westfall) Bleier on August 22, 1919 in Paragould, Arkansas. She graduated high school in 1938 and went on to graduate from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing, Memphis, TN in 1941. Merlene used her training as a nurse to enter into military service. She proudly served in the Army Nurses Corp from 1943 until January 1946 with the rank of 1st Lt.

Merlene resided in Peekskill, NY for several years before moving to Montrose, NY in 1951 where she lived in the same house for over 65 years. Merlene was predeceased by her beloved husband Manny Rinzivillo in 1977. She is survived by her caring children Michelle Formica (Rocco) of West Haven, CT, Melinda Rinzivillo of Naples, Fl, Pamela Szen (David) of Brookfield, CT, and Jed Rinzivillo (Mary) of Patterson, NY, cherished grandchildren Brian Beigert of Wappinger Falls, NY, Brett Beigert of Hopewell, NY, Katherine Szen of Bethel, CT, Sarah Szen of Port Washington, NY, and Danielle Rinzivillo of Patterson, NY, and by 4 adored great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 from 3-8PM at Edward F. Carter Funeral Home, 170 Kings Ferry Rd., Montrose, NY. A Funeral Service will be celebrated 11AM, Wednesday, January 25th at the Reformed Church of Cortlandtown, Montrose, NY with burial to follow at Assumption Cemetery, Cortlandt Manor, NY. Merlene’s family requests in lieu of flowers please make donations to Reformed Church of Cortlandtown.