Cherie Lynn Parisi

Cherie was born on January 14, 1959, in New Haven, Connecticut, to Joseph Riccio and Audrey Glassman. She was the loving wife of Carmelo Parisi, devoted mother to Alessandra Rogers, and proud grandmother to Leila Rogers. She is also survived by her brother, Rick Riccio. She was preceded in death by her brother, Steven Riccio.

Cherie lived a life that could never be described as simple and ordinary. She lived in Palm Beach, St. Maarten, and Sicily and traveled throughout the world, always drawn to different cultures, beautiful places, and new experiences. But of all the places she saw, Italy held a special place in her heart. She loved Italy deeply and always felt that, in some way, it was her home.

Throughout her life, Cherie owned and ran restaurants across the world alongside her husband, Carmelo. Together, they were a force to be reckoned with. They always strived for more, worked tirelessly, and succeeded every time. They were the epitome of a power couple—strong, ambitious, determined, and devoted to building a life together. Cherie had a gift for bringing people together around a table, and hospitality was simply part of who she was. Yet as much as she accomplished, her greatest job—and the one she loved most—was being a mother.

Cherie was a loving and fiercely supportive mom. She had a way of making you believe that you could do anything in this world. She encouraged, believed in, and stood beside the people she loved most. She always wanted the best for others and had a generous spirit that made people feel cared for beyond measure.

As a grandmother or a Gia (Grandmother In Action), Cherie was pure joy. With Leila, there were no rules—just fun. She loved to play, laugh, and simply enjoy being a grandmother. The bigger the mess the bigger the fun. Those moments will become some of the most treasured memories of her life.

Cherie was deeply spiritual and spoke with God every day. Her faith was personal and lived quietly in her heart. She prayed every night at the stroke of 12 - just like in Cinderella. So the next time you see the clock strike 12 say a prayer and thank God for this life - just as she did.

She found beauty everywhere: in animals and especially her beloved parrots, in mountains and nature, in painting, in good music, and in the many places and cultures she encountered throughout her life. She loved a good pedicure, beautiful things, and anything that sparkled. She had a particular appreciation for making an occasion feel special.

And Cherie knew how to make people feel welcome. Whenever someone was coming over, she and Carmelo would create a huge spread of food and make sure there was a glass of champagne or cocktail waiting. Her famous meatballs and Caesar salad were staples of the love she served at her table. For Cherie, food was never simply food—it was a way of gathering people together and making them feel at home.

She was also known for saying, “Don’t love me so much,” a phrase that somehow captured her playful spirit and the tenderness of the people who loved her so deeply.

Cherie leaves behind more than memories. She leaves behind the feeling of being loved, supported, welcomed, and believed in. She leaves behind a husband who God and fate brought them together and gave them a love right out of a fairytale, a daughter who knew her mother believed she could do anything, a granddaughter who knew her grandmother as a place where fun had no rules, and a family who will forever remember the laughter, meals, music, sparkle, stories, and love that surrounded her.

Cherie lived a life full of places, people, adventures, beauty, and love. But her greatest legacy was not the restaurants she built or the places she traveled. It was the people she loved and the lives she touched.

She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always carried in the hearts of those fortunate enough to call her Wife, Mom, Gia, sister, daughter, and friend.

A memorial service celebrating Cherie’s life will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Grissom Funeral Home, 803 Emmett Street, Kissimmee, Florida 34741. Proper attire is requested—with, of course, a little added sparkle in Cherie’s honor.