Geraldine Francis Pizzo

Charlotte – Geraldine F. Pizzo, 73, passed away March 22, 2016. She was born September 10, 1942 in Chicago, Ill. A daughter of the late Thomas R. Brown and Julia Margaret (Ferguson) Brown of Chicago, she was the oldest of seven children and grew up in the neighborhood of Mt. Greenwood on the south side of Chicago. She attended St. Christina’s Elementary School and Mother of Sorrows High School. She began her career at Continental Insurance and became executive secretary to the corporate vice president. Later, she worked at Lucas and Coffee as a patent specialist. After her children were in Junior High School, Gerry resumed her career at Mercy Hospital Central, then Mercy Hospital South in the position of executive secretary to the president. She was recruited by Ingersoll-Rand and retired there as the corporate training administrator.

She married Richard A. Pizzo in 1967, and several years later had two sons, Tony and Tom. The most important things in Gerry’s life were her faith and her family. She devoted herself entirely to her children and their academic and athletic pursuits. In them, she instilled confidence that anything in life is attainable through hard work and dedication. Her house was always open to family and friends. She always made sure visitors laughed while there, and were well fed before they left. Everyone knew her for her great sense of humor and quick wit; she was always the life of the party. She was fiercely loyal to those she loved. She was a caregiver who lived by many mantras, including “It is better to give than to receive”, and “Two wrongs don’t make a right”. She was extremely well-read and politically astute. Any endeavor she pursued she saw through to the finish.

She was an active member of St. Gabriel’s for 27 years and St. Therese for 14 years. She served in many capacities in St. Gabriel’s Home School Association, including as Co-President. In addition, she volunteered for 6 years delivering friendship trays (Meals on Wheels).

Gerry is survived by her husband of 49 years, Richard; her two children, Anthony V. (Tony) Pizzo (Ashley), and Thomas Pizzo (Marty); and five beloved grandchildren, Elizabeth, John, Daniel, Jenks and Vivi Pizzo, all of Charlotte, NC. In addition, she is survived by siblings, Thomas P. Brown (Maureen), Patricia Smith (James), Maureen Dunn (Lawrence), Timothy Brown, Theresa Smith (Leonard), and Rosemarie Johnson (David), and dearest lifelong friend, Patricia (Pat) Jennings, all of Chicago, Ill.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Thursday March 24, 2016 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 3016 Providence Rd., Charlotte, NC. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 to 10:45 am prior to the service. Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be offered to Loaves and Fishes, 648 Griffith Rd. Ste. B, Charlotte, NC 28217.