Dianna Rizzo-Wright, the heart of our family, friends and teaching community peacefully passed away in her sleep Dec. 6. While she has been called Home to the Lord at such a young age, her ability to bring joy, hope and compassion touched so many lives and leaves a beacon of light that will grace this earth well beyond her 40 years.
Dianna was born in 1980 in Brooklyn, New York to John and Patricia Rizzo. She attended Bishop Kearney High School and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stony Brook University, which led to a career on Wall Street for six years. In 2012, she received her master’s degree from Wilmington University and began teaching English at Moore Catholic High School in Staten Island. Dianna quickly flourished as she found her true passion and became known for her engaging, animated lectures and pioneering use of pop culture to relate to students in the classroom. She continued on to Freehold Township High School and most recently taught English at Mater Dei Prep in Middletown, setting forth the same dedication for developing a supportive relationship with those who needed her most.
Dianna’s fierce commitment to her work, friendships and life stem from her deep family roots. Work was an extension of family. Friendships were an extension of family. And family was at the center of everything she stood for and a reason to rejoice. She loved a celebration; from her infamous game nights to hosting Easter and Christmas Day, she lived for having family and her cousins over and proudly shared the hashtag #FAMILYFIRST on everything she wrote and owned. Dianna was bigger than life and lit up every grand entrance as she danced around hugging and kissing those she knew (and didn’t know).
Dianna’s legacy will carry on through her grateful and loving husband Michael (Mike) Wright and the true shining star in her life Christian Wright, who was “her prince, her miracle baby,” her beloved son who brought so much joy and meaning to her existence.
Dianna is survived by her loving parents, John and Patricia Rizzo; beloved sister and brother-in-law, Stacey and Chad Wain and their children Jordyn, Daniel and Joseph; beloved brother John Rizzo, his fiancée Beth Terlinski and his children, Carlo, Ella and Nia.
It is not good-bye, but until we meet again, our love, our life, our treasured Dianna. “And I will always love you, I will always love you, You, My darling, you.”
Visitation was Dec. 11 at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 12 at St. Mary’s Church, Middletown Township.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Lupus Foundation in memory of Dianna at lupus.org.
The article originally appeared in the December 17 – 23, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
