Sister M. Elanor Rizzi

Sister M. Eleanor Rizzi died suddenly at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of the Holy Family in Fremont on December 7, 2018, at the age of 92. She was born Eleanora Rizzi on June 25, 1926, in Newark, N.J., and joined the Sisters from Holy Cross Parish in San Jose on July 2, 1953, at the age of 27. After serving in various religious education capacities in parishes around the Bay Area, Sister Eleanor left religious education and began studies as a child and family counselor. She served with the Children’s Counseling Center in Santa Clara from 1985 to 1995. She then began working as a child and family counselor for the Santa Clara Unified School District in Santa Clara, where she remained until health concerns forced her to retire in 2010. After moving to the Holy Family Sisters’ Motherhouse in Fremont, she continued to serve as a volunteer with Abode Services until her health demanded further cutbacks. Sister Eleanor’s laughter is legendary among her Sisters, friends and family, as is her love and compassion for the children she served, helping them to deal with their fears and problems. The Mass of Resurrection was celebrated on December 13 at the Holy Family Motherhouse in Fremont. Interment followed that same day at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma. Donations in memory of Sister Eleanor can be made to the Sisters of the Holy Family, P.O. Box 3248, Fremont, CA 94539.