Sandra & Generoso Rizzo

Martina Sandra (Volpe) Rizzo, 68, beloved wife of Generoso Rizzo, entered into eternal peace on January 10, 2024. Born on April 7, 1955 in New Haven, CT, Sandra was the daughter of the late Martino Giuseppe and Marianna (Lisella) Volpe. Although born in New Haven, Sandra spent her earliest years in Patterson, NJ prior to moving to Solopaca, Italy before returning to spend the remainder of her childhood and teen years in Hartford, CT. A graduate of Bulkeley High School, Sandra was employed by The Hartford Insurance Company before marrying her husband on April 20, 1974 and moving to Wethersfield where she resided throughout their marriage.

In celebrating Sandra’s life, we remember a woman who valued the Italian traditions and customs with which she was raised. She was a loving and devoted wife, aunt, zizi, cousin, and friend whose daily actions embodied all she held dear. From caring for young nieces and nephews, helping family and friends, and being the sole caregiver for her mother and husband, Sandra was the consummate caretaker who put the needs of others ahead of her own. She opened her heart and home to help whoever was in need and never asked for help in return.

A true people person, Sandra loved to chat with others. Time spent visiting and reminiscing with others, whether in person or through phone calls, was something that Sandra valued and prioritized no matter whether the person was local or an ocean away. She found joy in the connections she made with others and in spending time with family and friends. What made her most unique – her cultural upbringing helped her redefine neighborliness to mean more than just the people next door, but instead to welcome all those she met. Whether a passerby walking their dog, or someone she had known for years, Sandra had an uncanny ability to remember even the smallest of details they shared with her- sometimes even years later! Sandra valued those details in each of her relationships.

In honoring her memory, we remember the love she had for life’s simple pleasures. An amazing cook, Sandra often said that for food to taste great you need to put love into your cooking. Whether traditions passed on from those before her, or new recipes she discovered, for her, food was love, and always embodied how much she loved those who meant so much to her. She also loved all animals but had a special affinity for birds, squirrels, and dogs; naming and feeding the wildlife that crossed her yard, and stopping to chat and play with the dogs who would pass by. Gardening, playing cards with friends or family, searching for the best bargains when shopping, completing word search puzzles, and watching Italian game shows were among some of her favorite pastimes. She enjoyed any opportunity to travel and would fondly recount stories of places visited, most frequently noting her travels through Italy, a country which held such a dear place in her heart.

In addition to her loving husband Generoso, she will also be dearly missed by nephew, Vincenzo Pagliuca and wife Adriana, niece, Nancy Lamore (aka Chickenella) and husband Michael and nephew and godson, Rick Rizzo (aka Cookie) and wife Tina, as well as many dear cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews, and lifelong friends. Special thanks to dear friend, Paulette Milo, for her love and support. Finally, heartfelt thanks to all of Sandra’s family members in Italy who brought her immense joy and cherished memories.

A time of visitation will be held Friday, January 26, 2024 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. Funeral services will begin Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Christ the King Parish (Corpus Christi Church), 601 Silas Deane Hwy, Wethersfield. Burial will follow in Village Cemetery, Wethersfield. Memorial donations may be made to Protectors of Animals, 144 Main St. Unit O, East Hartford, CT 06118. To share online expressions of sympathy with the family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com.