Sharon Knight Rizzo

Sharon Knight Rizzo passed away peacefully on the evening of Friday, April 2nd 2021. She was born on August 19, 1946 in Anderson, IN, the daughter of James and Vetra Knight. As a military family, she spent her early life in many places, including postwar Japan. She attended high school in El Paso, TX, received her bachelors degree from the University of Florida and an MS in Marketing at the University of Memphis. In 1977, she moved from Memphis to Washington, DC, which became her one true hometown for 44 years.

She had a rewarding career, contributing her intelligence and talents at Federal Express, where she was one of the very first employees hired by CEO Fred Smith in 1972. After moving to Washington, she held marketing positions at Shugoll Research, Nancy Low & Associates, and Pepco. in 2000 she joined the Central Intelligence Agency, where she worked in a variety of positions including the Directorate of Operations and Congressional Affairs. During her 14 year tenure at CIA she was recognized for her superior accomplishments, receiving the Exceptional Performance Award numerous times. After her retirement in 2014, she lived a full and wonderful life traveling the globe with her husband John, and spending time with her adoring family.

Sharon faced and overcame a great amount of adversity in her lifetime, including battling with and defeating cancer in 2014. She was the sort of person who never allowed hardships to stand in the way of her goals; whatever life threw her way, she always picked herself up and soldiered on. Her resilience and positive attitude paid off, particularly in the form of her fairytale 29 years of marriage to her devoted husband, John.

She was courageous, charming, and had exceptional style and glamour. Her generosity to her family and friends was constant and boundless. She brought love, compassion and radiance to the lives of those who were lucky enough to know her.

She is survived by her husband, John Rizzo, daughter Stephanie Darga, stepson James Rizzo, her beloved grandchildren Sydney Rizzo and Jack Darga, and her sister Marsha Lamb. She will be in our hearts forever, and we are so incredibly thankful for the time we had with her.