Jean Riffe Gizzi

Jean Gizzi, 88, of Elmira, NY, passed away peacefully on April 30th, 2025.  She is survived by her devoted husband of 64 years, Joe; her three children; Joe (Kathleen) Gizzi of Johns Creek, GA, Karen (Chris) Baker of Burdett, NY, and Daniel (Stacy Garrity) Gizzi of Athens, PA, as well as her 5 grandchildren, Shane (Kaitlyn), Michael, Hannah, Ethan, and Jacob; along with several nieces and nephews. Jean was predeceased by her loving parents, James Riffe and Virginia (McConnell) Riffe, sisters and brothers-in-law, Joann Powers (Mike) and Virginia Lynch (Tim).

Jean was born in Elmira, NY. She graduated from Elmira Free Academy High School. After graduation, Jean began working at Chemung Canal Trust Company, where she met her future husband, Joe. They married on April 15, 1961. She was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, and was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren. She loved celebrating the holidays by hosting family and friends. She also enjoyed entertaining her grandchildren by orchestrating fun activities such as dressing up as the Easter Bunny at Easter Egg hunts, or by teaching them Mexican Dominoes.

Jean loved to travel and cherished family vacations to beaches all along the East Coast and to Disney World with family.  She also enjoyed international travel to Ireland, where she was proud to celebrate her Irish heritage and kiss the Blarney Stone, and to Italy where she cherished seeing St. Peter’s Basilica, the seat of her Catholic faith. A proud snowbird, Jean enjoyed wintering in Surprise, AZ for over 15 years, where she made many friends. Jean and Joe enjoyed Tiki Bar happy hours and howling at the desert moon. Together they enjoyed driving through as many states as possible to visit all of the scenic locations along the way.

An avid sports fan, Jean rooted for the New York Yankees, the Buffalo Bills, and especially for the University of Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish, whose fight song was the ringtone on her phone. It is safe to say if one of her teams was playing, Jean was watching them. She was also a strong supporter of Notre Dame High School, where all of her children and several of her grandchildren attended. Jean volunteered at St. Joseph’s Hospital for many years, supplying craft baskets and baked goods for fundraisers. She also volunteered at St. Mary’s Church, where she was a long-standing member of the choir, and assisted with counting collections. Jean was a woman with a big heart, who was known to visit the sick and bring them one of her famous home-baked treats. Those who were blessed to call her a friend will cherish her memory forever.

Family will receive friends and relatives at McInerny Funeral Home at 502 W. Water Street, Elmira, NY 14905, on Sunday, May 4th, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m.  A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Monday, May 5th, 2025 at 10:15 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, at 11 am. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 224 Franklin Street, Elmira, NY 14904. A livestream of the Mass will be available through the Facebook page for Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish (https://www.facebook.com/ElmiraCatholic.

The family would like to extend their deep gratitude to Visiting Angels who lovingly cared for Jean over the last few years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be extended to Notre Dame High School, 1400 Maple Avenue, Elmira NY 14904.(  https://www.notredamehighschool.com/supportnd  ) in Elmira, NY.