Antoinette Veronica Pizzitola

Antoinette V. Pizzitola, 71, passed away peacefully Monday, November 1st surrounded by her family in a home filled with love, peace, and joy. She is survived by her husband, Vincenzo (Enzo) Pizzitola; her daughters and son-in-law, Marianne Pizzitola, Nicolette Pizzitola, Antoinette and Scott Croly; her grandson, Brogan Fionn Croly; her mother, Nicolette (Clara) Centrone; siblings Benedette Cooper, Colette Marguy, and Joseph Centrone; and her cousin-siblings Ronnie Savino, Vinnie Savino, Benedette (Cookie) Savino, Joe Savino, and Donna Leone. Antoinette’s graduation photo from Holy Cross Academy launched a 52-year love affair with her husband Enzo, who fell for her the moment he walked into her family home and saw the photo. They married in 1967 and welcomed their first daughter, Marianne, in 1969 and their twins, Antoinette and Nicolette, the following year. Antoinette reveled in motherhood. Moving to Long Island in 1973, Antoinette served as class mother for each of her daughters, led the PTA, taught religious instruction, and guided Girl Scout Troops. Antoinette was a teacher well before she had her own classroom. Antoinette started her teaching career in 1993 at PS 165, where she was not only a beloved and respected teacher, but also UFT representative. Antoinette formed lifelong friendships at PS 165 and still receives messages from students who became teachers or who credit her with giving them confidence and self-esteem. Soon after retiring in 2007, Antoinette welcomed her first grandchild. She loved being Brogan’s grandma and was fond of playing dinosaurs and dress-up. In 2010, Antoinette and Enzo moved to Las Vegas. There, they filled their home with family and friends for evenings of food, wine, and music. They took epic road trips and created cherished memories along the way. Antoinette filled the children in her large extended family with love and support, listening to their hopes, assuaging their fears, encouraging their dreams, guiding their ambitions, and nourishing everyone with her famous meatballs. Known for easy laughter and a smile that lit up a room, Antoinette was the person you wanted by your side when you were facing your darkest hour or celebrating your greatest achievement. Antoinette’s smile was never brighter than when her husband Enzo was whirling her across the kitchen dance floor. Enzo’s devotion to Antoinette gave her peace in these last years. He took care of her in ways large and small--making up silly words to songs he did not know, calming her when she was afraid, and falling asleep holding her hand. When he walked into a room, she smiled brightly and waited for his kisses. Today, her family’s hearts are heavy with loss. Still, they know the love and joy Antoinette so generously and naturally gave is woven into each life she touched and will live on in all who knew her. In lieu of flower or gifts, the family asks you consider making a donation to the following organizations: To honor Antoinette's determination to support children's literacy skill and love of reading, by donating to Reading Partners, whose mission is to help children become lifelong readers by empowering community volunteers to provide individualized instruction that produces measurable results. https://donations.readingpartners.org/Antoinette To honor the family’s commitment to improving the quality of life of people affected by frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and drive research to a cure, please consider donating to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. https://www.theaftd.org/support-aftds-mission/

Antoinette Veronica Pizzitola

February 5, 1949 - November 1, 2020