Born February 25, 1917 in Pekin to Lazzaro and Rosina (Leonelli) Gianessi, she married Walter Paul Rivord, Sr. on January 9, 1943 in Pekin. He died May 5, 2011 in Pekin. She also was preceded in death by one sister, Helen Marie May and one brother, Bruno Gianessi.
Surviving are one son, Walter P. “Butch” (Vivian) Rivord, Jr. of Pekin; one daughter, Norma J. (Jack) Zaayenga of Pekin; six grandchildren, Dr. Mark (Melissa) Zaayenga of Tremont, Walter P. “Wally” Rivord, III of Mc Minnville, OR, William P. “Bill” (Lisa Lazar) Rivord of Kewanee, Melissa D. (John) Bryant of Pekin, Melinda D. (Todd) Beebe and Wesley P. (Amanda) Rivord, both of Manito; nine great-grandchildren, Cannon Bryant, Ethan Zaayenga, Jaret Zaayenga, Cole Beebe, Olivia Alig, Patience Rivord, Audrey Rivord, Khloe Rivord and Kyleigh Millsap and one sister, Norma Kline of Pekin.
Dolly worked for Pekin Public Schools District 108 for many years at their Central Kitchen, retiring as supervisor. She also had previously worked at the American Distilling Company in Pekin and for her parent’s restaurant, Gianessi’s Italian Food.
She enjoyed ballroom dancing and taking part in family gatherings. She also enjoyed bowling, fishing and working crossword puzzles.
Dolly was a fifty year member of both Pythian Sisters, Sunbeam Temple 217 and Victoria Shrine 83, Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem. She also was a member of Pekin Women of the Moose Chapter 673.
She was a member of First Christian Church in Pekin.
Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 25, 2012 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. The Rev. Michael K. Roberts will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to Miller Senior Center, 551 South 14th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or to Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, IL 61554.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
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