Janice (Rizzo) Williamson

Janice Rizzo Williamson, "Lil" 85, of North East passed away on Saturday October 4, 2025 at UPMC Hamot surrounded by her family who loved her dearly. A legendary mother and grandmother, who was endlessly generous, deeply loving, refreshingly honest and never sugar-coated the truth.  

She was born on June 25, 1940 in Erie, Pennsylvania to the late Joseph J. and Beatrice (Sanfratello) Rizzo.

Janice graduated St. Gregory High School and was employed by Welch Foods in the reconditioning department.

She was a member of St. Gregory Church and the Brotherhood of St. Joseph.

Janice enjoyed Bingo, cards, spending time at her camp, visiting with family and snowmobiling. She loved attending sporting events, especially North East Basketball Games, and was an avid fan of the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians. She was known for her fantastic meatballs and cherished Vegas trips. She loved to host card games and "cousins reunions" at her camp, making everyone laugh for hours on end. She also treasured her monthly breakfast trips to Meeder's with her best friends. As the matriarch of the family, she prided herself on being present for every major milestone. She deeply loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, from births to graduations.  She had an unfiltered personality and a sarcastic sense of humor that changed the room whenever she was in it! Janice will leave behind a legacy of laughter, love and a permanent imprint on our hearts that will never be forgotten. 

She was preceded in death by her husband Edward J. Williamson II; brothers, Jeffery G. Rizzo and Joseph "Joe Pep" Rizzo Sr.; sister, Joan "June" Marie Triana and Husband Hooks; and son-in-law, Mathew Lewis-Jones.

Janice is survived by her sons, Edward J. Williamson III (Cheryl) and Richard Williamson; daughters, LouAnn Williamson and Sheri Williamson; god-daughter, Lori Helfrich, sister-in-law, Cathy Rizzo, grandchildren, Ashleigh Suscheck (Adam), Mathew Lewis-Jones, Jessica Harkness (Andrew), Carolee Galloway (Elmer), Ryan Bahm (Kira) and Edward J. Williamson IV; numerous great-grandchildren who she couldn't get enough of; several nieces and nephews and cousins who loved her dearly.

Friends and family may call at the William D. Elkin Funeral Home, 65 South Lake Street, North East on Friday October 10th from 2:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. and are invited to attend a prayer service on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Gregory Church at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be held at St. Gregory Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the North East Sports Boosters, P.O. Box 678, North East, PA 16428. Please send condolences to elkinfh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Janice (Rizzo) Williamson, please visit our floral store.