Margaret Roussel Vizzi

VIZZI, Margaret Roussel, age 94, a beloved resident of Tampa for 65 years, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt whose legacy of faith, family, love and service touched countless lives.

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Margaret was the daughter of the late Arthur Joseph Roussel, Jr. and Esperance Jeanne Roussel. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Ferdinando Vizzi, M.D.; two sons-Frank Edward Vizzi, Sr., M.D. and Ferdinand Joseph Vizzi; her brother Jay Paul Roussel and his wife Dottie Lee; her sister Joan Breaux and her husband Gary; her brother-in-law Richard Patin; and her sister-in-law Rosalia Vizzi Soto.

She is survived by seven children, nineteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren: her daughter Celeste Vizzi Allen (partner Henry Rauzi); her son Bernard Arthur Vizzi (Vicki) with grandchildren Devaney Fort (Gene), Christopher Vizzi and Andrea Nagle (Charlie); her daughter Rosalie Vizzi Arthur (beloved family friend James Patrick) with grandchildren Patrick Arthur (Lauren), Teresa Luther (Charlie) and Cristina Urenda (Ryan); grandchild (child of her late son Ferdinand) Jeremy Vizzi (Lindsay); her son Arthur Joseph Vizzi (Doree) with grandchildren Danielle Karabasic (Vanja), Devanee Pehl (Patrick) and Dania Vizzi; daughter-in-law (widow of son Frank) Lyn, with grandchildren Rachael McHugh (John), Rebecca, Caroline and Frank, Jr.; her daughter Margaret Mary Vizzi; her son Joseph Paul Vizzi (Jodi) with grandchildren Shelli, Drew and Stefani; and her son Peter David Vizzi, M.D. (Jeanne) with grandchildren Allison and David. She is also survived by her sister, Joy Patin, her brother Optimer Roussel (Mary) and her brother-in-law Alejandro Soto and many beloved nieces and nephews.

After graduating from Ursuline Academy, she earned a degree in Medical Technology from Loyola University. She married Ferdinando, a Tampa native, and they were happily married for over 49 years. In 1960, they moved to Tampa where Dr. Vizzi began his medical practice and where they raised their nine children.

What began as a mother’s concern of neighborhood traffic grew into Margaret’s passion for civic service. She became one of Tampa’s most respected neighborhood advocates and community activists. Among her many achievements, she helped revive the Beach Park Homeowners Association and co-founded Tampa Homeowners, an Association of Neighborhoods (THAN). Through her tireless work, she built strong relationships with City leaders and left an enduring mark on Tampa. Margaret has been recognized for her contributions to Tampa in several ways, including: Margaret Vizzi Day – May 5, 2004; an oral history interview taken October 9, 2006, can be found in the USF archives (https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/west_florida_land_use_ohp/7/ ); a portrait of her bearing the word “STRONG” is sketched in a 2018 sculpture of twelve local citizens named “Tampa Together” to celebrate the City’s diversity and pride (found in Franklin Street Park on the Selmon Greenway) (https://www.facebook.com/TampaHillsboroughExpresswayAuthority/posts/2107719445910770/) ; and in 2022, the end of Neptune Way in Beach Park named Vizzi View was dedicated with a plaque that captures her life story (admiredlife.com/memorials/5246).

Margaret’s greatest devotion was to her family, second only to a life rooted in faith. She was an active member of Christ the King Catholic Church for over 60 years. To her family, she was a wellspring of wisdom on Catholic teaching and the embodiment of faith in action.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for the repose of her soul on Monday, September 22 at 10:00 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, 821 S. Dale Mabry Hwy. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00–10:00 a.m. prior to Mass. Pallbearers include her sons Bernard, Arthur, Joseph and Peter, along with grandsons Jeremy and Frank Jr.

In lieu of flowers, Mass intentions in the memory of Margaret Roussel Vizzi would be greatly appreciated or contributions may be made to your preferred charity.