Emilia Riccio

Mrs. Emilia Riccio, 92, of Springfield, Virginia, passed away in Alexandria, VA on July 9, 2021, from natural causes. Mrs. Riccio, born July 21, 1928, in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, to Monserrate Velez (Aymat) and Jose Velez, was a Civil Air Patrol (USAF) Major who had a M.S. in Microbiology from Columbia University. She was a retired high school teacher, college professor, and U.S. Foreign Service wife, who lived and worked in Latin America and Europe. She was a devoted Catholic, a funny, kind, and generous mother who possessed a curious mind and strong intellect. She was also a multi-talented artist, crafts and clothes designer, gourmet cook, and avid bilingual reader, who was devoted to her husband of 65 years, the late Robert A. Riccio. She is survived by her two daughters, her son, and four grandchildren. Her Virginia funeral home is Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22151, and her Puerto Rico funeral home is Mayaguez Memorial, W, 189 Calle Mendez Vigo, Mayaguez, PR 00682. She will be laid to rest in Porta Coeli, San German, PR. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to the Convento de Santo Domingo de Porta Coeli (787-892-5845).