Rita Piazza

VERONA
Rita M. Piazza, age 86, passed away on Monday, June 12, 2017 after a brief illness. Born in Madison, Wisconsin, on July 4, 1930, Rita was the youngest of 13 children, the daughter of Calogero and Margarita Intravaia. She grew up in the Greenbush neighborhood and often shared memories of her childhood there.

After graduating from West High School in 1948, Rita worked the front desk at the old Loraine Hotel. She married Russell Piazza on Aril 14, 1950, in Lake Geneva. Together they raised their 5 children in the Madison area: Greg of Ferndale, MI, Ann (Bill) Haymaker, Margaret (Rod) Birrenkott, both of Madison, Nancy (Bruce) Schultz of Sauk City, WI, and Christopher Piazza of Madison. She worked for the State of Wisconsin for 23 years, retiring from the Department of Transportation in 1992. She received the Outstanding State Employee Award from then Governor Tommy Thompson and was nominated for the Dorothy Hart Award. Rita enjoyed visits from her children and grandchildren, doing daily crossword puzzles, reading, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers.

Rita is survived by her 5 children, 13 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews, many of whom she remained close. She is also survived by sister-in-law Tony Intravaia of Carbondale, IL. As the 13th and last child of her large Italian family, we say goodbye to the last surviving family member of that generation.

Rita was welcomed home by her parents, her husband, Russell; her brothers and sisters, Vito, Beatrice, Conchera, Marie, Sarah, Tomasina, Anna, Lawrence, Thomas, Sam, Phillip and Sally; and 3 great-grandchildren, Abram, Nina and Cal. If desired, memorials may be made to the family for a charitable organization to be determined.

Our family thanks Dr. Steve Nakada and the Urology team at UW Hospital and Clinics for their care of our mom over the years. She was quiet but tenacious, and we will miss her.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 19, 2017 at St. Christopher Parish, St. Andrew Catholic Church, 301 N. Main Street, Verona with Father William Vernon presiding. A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Lunch will be served immediately following the Mass. Burial will take place in Highland Memory Gardens, Madison.

Please share your memories of Rita.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
(608) 238-3434