Marion Rizzardini

Marion Rizzardini, age 83, passed away on Friday, August 22nd, at The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills, Illinois. She was born in Brattleboro, VT, and was the daughter of the late Ferruccio and Jennie Comolli. She is also preceded in death by her brother, Alfred Comolli. A resident of Countryside, IL, and later Mt. Pleasant, SC, Marion was a parishioner at St. Cletus Catholic Church, LaGrange, IL, and Christ Our King Catholic Church, Mt. Pleasant, SC. Marion and business partner Shirley MacNeil founded Grand Avenue Preschool in Western Springs, IL in 1981. It began with just 2 students and has grown today to over 500 students in 4 locations. Marion was a leader in creating a preschool program with early academics and a positive environment for children to learn and grow. Her legacy continues today, and Grand Avenue is considered the premier preschool in the area after 33 years. Survivors include two brothers, Ferdinand Comolli, Bethany Beach, DE; Richard Comolli, Westerly, RI; a daughter, Laura Rizzardini, Chicago, IL; son Daniel Rizzardini, Downers Grove, IL, and grandsons Lane and Cameron Rizzardini; son John Rizzardini, Seattle, WA; daughter and son-in-law Joan & Brad Rinella, Jonesborough, TN, and grandsons Alexander and John Rinella. Visiting hours are on Thursday, August 28th from 9:00-10:00 am in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am in St. Patrick’s Church, 34 Amherst Street, Milford. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Milford.