Darnella Coco Rizzotto

Darnella Coco Rizzotto, 90, of Beaumont, died Thursday, December 26, 2019. She was born on March 10, 1929, in Beaumont, to Margaret Caldronia Coco and Russell Coco. 

Darnella was a devoted wife, mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, sister, “Aunt Sister” and friend. She found joy in spending time with her family, cooking in the kitchen and keeping an immaculate, warm, welcoming home. She was a loving wife and married her love, Manuel in 1952. They were married for 38 years until his death in 1990.

Darnella passed on her love of cooking to her 4 children, especially when it came to preparing traditional Sicilian cooking, passed on to her from her mother and grandmother. Her favorites were pasta and suga, arrancini (rice balls), stuffed artichokes, biscottis and cuccidati (fig cookies). She always made sure her famous wedding ring biscottis were found at family weddings, baptisms and 1st Communion celebrations. She was proud to carry on these family traditions. Known as “Gee” to her Grandchildren and their friends, she was loved by each and every one. Even those who married into the family loved their Gee.

Darnella was a devout Catholic, passing on her faith and traditions to her family. She honored St. Joesph, working on the St. Joseph Day altar, baking cookies and helping in the kitchen. She faithfully said her Christmas novena every year. If she had to miss Mass due to illness, she watched the Mass on television. She was a generous donor to Birthright of Beaumont.

Darnella also showed her care and concern for others lovingly. She took excellent care of Manuel during his illness. She was a Gray Lady at St. Elizabeth Hospital for 30 years serving others. She helped out at St. Anthony Cathedral School and Kelly High School when her children were growing up. She enjoyed having coffee with family and friends to catch up on the latest news. She will live on in the hearts of those she touched with her kind, gentle spirit.

Survivors include her children, Margaret Cone and her husband, James; Mary Ann Keller and her husband, Richard; Karen Truman and her husband, Keith; and Manuel Rizzotto, Jr. and his wife, Donna; grandchildren, Patrick Sykes and his wife, Leigh Ann; Whitney Sykes; Peyton Sykes; Laurel Keller; Allison Underwood and her husband, Chris; Caitlin Keller; Michael Truman and his wife, Julie; Megan Myrosh and her husband, Brian; Mandy Truman; Nicholas Rizzotto and his wife, Kaylynn; Christopher Rizzotto; and Anthony Rizzotto; great-grandchildren, Aspen Truman, Evy Truman, Cali Truman, Cassidy Truman, Mary-Elizabeth Truman, Lucy Truman, Emma Truman, Greyson Myrosh, Domenic Sykes, Annabella Sykes, Blake Keller, and Grace Rizzotto; brother, Joe Coco; sisters-in-law, Rosalie Talamantez and Mary Rizzotto; and brother-in-law, Most Rev. Vincent M. Rizzotto. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Manuel Rizzotto; parents; brothers, Charlie, VJ, and her twin brother Russell; and grandson, William Anthony Rizzotto.   

The family would like to thank and acknowledge her doctors, especially Dr. George Thomas, his head nurse Katina, Sheila DeVaugh, NP of Advanced Cardiovascular, Amber of Kindred Home Health. A special thanks to Kathy Falkenhagen for bringing Holy Communion and visiting.

Memorial contributions for Mrs. Rizzotto may be made to Birthright of Beaumont, 2626 Calder Avenue, Suite 201, Beaumont, Texas 77702.

A Rosary for Mrs. Rizzotto will be recited at 5:00 p.m., with a gathering of family and friends to follow, Sunday, December 29, 2019, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 30, 2019, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont, with her interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.