Mary Ellen Rizzo

September 17, 1921 - November 2, 2020

Mary Ellen Rizzo, 99, of Benton Township died November 2, 2020, at Pine Ridge Nursing Home in Lincoln Township. Family services celebrating her life will be held at 1 PM on Monday, Nov 9, at the Fairplain Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Benton Township. Burial will follow in North Shore Memory Gardens. Memorials may be made to Humane Society of SW Michigan. Please share messages, memories or photos at www.florin.net. Mary Ellen was born on Sept 17, 1921 in Benton Harbor to Chester and Mabel Conrad. She married her husband, Samuel Rizzo, in 1946 and he preceded her in death in 2015. Together they celebrated 69 years of marriage. In the 1960’s Mary Ellen and Sam partnered with Sam’s brother, Joe and his wife in the Rizzo Discount Grocery in Benton Heights. She also worked as a teller at the Inter-City Bank for many years. They were proud members of their grade school alma mater, Bard School, and their group of fellow alums who met often for lunch and picnics. Mary Ellen was a charter member of the Pilgrim Congregational Church and a member of the Child Study Club. Mary Ellen and her husband enjoyed square dancing and dancing to the Big Band music at the Crystal Palace. She enjoyed working outdoors and loved their family trips to Florida. Mary Ellen had a long standing tradition of having lunch every Saturday with her daughters. Mary Ellen’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the thoughtful compassionate staff at Pine Ridge Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, as well as to Caring Circle of Lakeland for their dedication to caring and support of their patients and families. Mary Ellen’s family includes her daughters, Pamela (Steven) Silcox of St. Joseph and Diane (Troy) Mott of Stevensville; her grandchildren, Scott (Anna) Silcox, Amy Kesterke, Michael (Megan) Curtis, Tyler Curtis, and Adam (Allie) Rizzo and her 5 great grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her son, Gregg, and her daughter, Deborah Camp in 2019.