Rita Avallone Obituary

Rita was born on August 6, 1930, in Brooklyn, New York to Anna and Leonard Giasi, the youngest of 9 siblings. Her father, a cement mason, passed away suddenly when Rita was 4 1/2 years old. Rita was very close with her siblings, was proud to say ''we were five boys and four girls - Tony, Danny, Frankie, Joey, Sal, Francie, Marie, Rosie and Rita.'' Times were tough for the brood growing up with the loss of their Dad, but all grew to be honest and hard-working and very close.
Rita's first job after leaving school was behind the counter at Woolworths. She would say ''there were 18 stools'' that she waited on. I'm sure all her customers enjoyed her pretty smile and friendly demeanor.
One day brother Joey brought home a coworker to install a new stove in the apartment. Emil Avallone, Jr. was smitten with Rita and the two fell in love and were married in Brooklyn on June 13, 1953. They honeymooned in Niagara Falls. Rita and Emil's marriage was blessed with two children, Emil and Carolann, and they enjoyed a loving and devoted marriage until Emil's passing on August 2, 2011.
Rita and Emil spent their entire married life in the home Emil was born in on Bay 16th Street in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn, New York. Rita spent most of her life there as a homemaker except for a period of a few years when she worked as a saleslady at Toby Lee, a local young women's clothing store where she was everyone's favorite saleslady. The home was open to family and friends with many happy memories created. Rita was always willing to add more ''meatballs to the sauce'' or ''more macaroni to the pot'' when friends or family showed up unexpectedly. And everything was so delicious!
During her spare time Rita enjoyed watching game shows on TV, crocheting, and in later years with hubby playing the slots at Atlantic City. She also loved playing friendly games of poker with friends at local senior clubs and with family. Every Saturday, Rita and Emil attended afternoon mass at St. Finbar's Church followed by dinner at the Vegas Diner on 16th Avenue and then playing poker for ''$5 pie'' with her siblings Frankie, Marie, and Joey and their spouses Rose, Buddy, and Little Rose. She loved those games!
Rita was a very caring and loving mother to Emil and Carolann as well as a loving mother-in-law to Brenda and John, with whom she enjoyed special relationships. She was also a favorite aunt to many. Son Emil's passing on June 21, 2013, was devastating and left a hole in her heart, but she somehow still remained a beautiful and loving soul. Rita was also a loving grandmother to John and Michael Contrera, Michael and Katherine Avallone, Nicole Avallone, John Riccardi (now deceased), Erica and Frank Zaloga and great-grandchildren Frankie and Jemma Zaloga. Unfortunately, due to her illness Rita was unable to enjoy her most recent great-grandchildren, Emilia and Robert Avallone.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025 at St. Charles Church located at 644 Clawson Street Staten Island, New York 10306.
The family will receive friends from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Inc., 28 Eltingville Blvd, Staten Island, New York.