Bessie Rizzo
October 11, 1923 — January 11, 2016
Bessie Gynell (Scott) Rizzo, 92, of Crystal Lake and formerly of Lake in the Hills, passed away at her home January 11, 2016 surrounded by her loving daughters. She was born October 11, 1923 in Cooleemee, N.C. to James and Emma (Mayberry) Scott.
After high school she worked at the USO at “Jimmy’s Place” in Charleston, NC, where she met her future husband. On August 15, 1945 she took a train from Cooleemee to Chicago. On August 25, 1945 she married S/SGT. Joseph J. Rizzo at St. Andrew Rectory in Chicago, IL.
In 1952 they moved to Sycamore Street in Lake in the Hills. Gynell worked at the Ben Franklin store in Algonquin for a few years, then at the Jewel Food store in Crystal Lake until 1977 before moving to Cape Coral, FL.
Gynell and Joe both worked at Cape Coral City hall until 1986, then moved to Poplar Street in Lake in the Hills to be near their daughters.
Gynell is survived by her daughers, Mary and Debbie Rizzo; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and dear friends; and a special cousin Donna Jean Finnell, who never let her forget how much she was loved.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; parents, sister, Kitty, brother Jim, daughter Pat, and grandson Kevin.
It was Gynell’s wish not to have any funeral services.