Lydia R. Rizzo

Lydia Rose Rizzo

A Northville, Michigan resident, Lydia Rizzo died peacefully on May 4, 2021 at Ascension Providence Hospital in Novi at the age 98.

Lydia was born in Casino, Italy in 1922 and came to the United States at the age of 7 with no knowledge of English. After graduating from Benjamin Franklin High School in Rochester, New York, she went to earn a master’s degree in English and another in Library Science.

Lydia taught English at Ecorse High School and became the chief librarian. For thirty years she helped students with their reading and research skills. Lydia wanted to increase her students’ interest in the arts, so she raised money from paper book sales to help pay for trips to plays and other cultural events.

According to the Ecorse Board of Directors, Lydia “raised the bar for Michigan school librarians and became an early trail blazer in selecting appropriate educational reference materials.” In 1957, Lydia was named Michigan Librarian of the Year. In 2002, 24 years after her retirement, Lydia was surprised when former students remembered her and voted to name the state-of-the-art media center of the new $23.5 million Ecorse High School after her.

Lydia was a highly respected teachers’ negotiator and for four years was president of the teacher’s union which was instrumental in bettering salaries and teaching conditions. In 1993, Lydia received a commendation from Governor G Mennen Williams for “public service above and beyond the call of duty during the recount of the 1952 governmental elections in Michigan”.

Lydia was coordinator of the Oakland Chapter of the Michigan Campaign for quality care which promoted improvement of nursing home conditions. She was also co-editor of the Michigan Long Term Companion published in 1998. Lydia loved reading and travelling. She visited her sister in Puerto Rico and other family members throughout the United States as often as she could. She enjoyed day trips to Canada with friends and family. Lydia was a very giving and loving sister, aunt, great aunt, community leader and friend.

Lydia is survived by her loving sister Clara Rizzo and husband Arturo; her nieces Clara Mandell, Yvonne Costa, Sharon Rizzo and Carol Rizzo; her nephew Hector Costa; and by her many great and great-great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Anna and Oberdan Rizzo and her loving brother Anthony Rizzo.