Antoinette Marie (Arcaro) Rizzi a long-time resident of Pelham passed away at the age of 107 on January 29, 2025, with her son Gregory by her side.
Antoinette (Nettie) was a beloved “Mother Dearest,” mom, Nana, Auntie Nettie and, by nephew’s nickname for her, “Terrific.” When the doctors asked Gregory and daughter-in-law Cynthia, what was most important to Nettie, they unequivocally answered “family.”
Nettie was born on December 24, 1917 to Peter and Cristina (Gregorio) Arcaro in the Bronx, New York. She graduated from James Monroe High School in the Bronx. She and her sisters founded the Arcaro Sister’s School of Dance in the Bronx and expanded the studio to Westchester County. Besides dancing, Nettie enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She was happily married to Thomas (Tommy, T.R.) Rizzi, who she met exiting their neighborhood subway as he was entering. Tom was captivated by her beauty and they were happily married for 72 years.
Nettie is preceded in death, by her mother and father, her husband Thomas (Tommy), and her siblings, Rosie, Louise, Jeanne, Gracie and John.
Nettie is survived by her son, Gregory, her daughter-in-law Cynthia, her granddaughter, Michelle and her husband, Sam. As well as her many nieces and nephews, including Donna and her husband, Vinny; Kristine and her husband, Enrico; Peter and his wife, Cynthia and their children; Laura and her husband, Peter and their child, Madison, Natalie; and Vicki and her husband Joe and their children, Scott, Gregory, Jacquie, and her husband Steven Jr. and their children, Sophia and Steven III.
A celebration of Nettie’s life will be held at Pelham Funeral Home, located at 64 Lincoln Avenue, Pelham, New York, on Tuesday, February 4th, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, located at 575 Fowler Avenue, Pelham Manor, New York, on Wednesday, February 5th, at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Ferncliff Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Nettie’s honor to the American Heart Association.
Editor’s note: This obituary was provided by the Pelham Funeral Home.
