Marietta (Polillo) Ricci, age 88, of Helena and Livingston died July 31, 2011 at Cooney Rest Home of a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
Marietta was born March 19, 1923 in Spezzano, Piccolo Italy to Filipina and Luigi Polillo. In 1934 they moved to the US and took roots in Livingston, Montana. There she married Louie Ricci in June of 1946 and later had a daughter, Connie and son, Tom.
Marietta was passionately involved in the Catholic Church, St. Mary’s, in Livingston. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters, where she washed and ironed alter linens, helped decorate the church, and dedicated her time to whatever was asked of her.
She worked and retired from the Jet Cleaners in Livingston.
Marietta was a fantastic cook! She won many blue ribbons at the county fairs, sold her goods at bake sales, homemade pizza at John’s IGA, and catered dinner parties. She made all of the traditional dishes from the region of Italy where she was from. Her passion was cooking and crafts of which she also participated in many arts and crafts sales.
Many friends and family were the recipients of her baking skills, especially around the holidays. Christmas was always a special time, starting a month before Marietta would prepare care packages for all her loved ones.
Some say when God came to Earth to vacation, he would stay at Marietta’s house, when he left he was five pounds heavier.
Marietta is survived by her daughter; Connie (Ricci) Collins and husband Mike of Helena, son; Tom Ricci of Billings, sister; Theresa Cech of Helena, brother; Phil Polillo and his wife Sharon of Smith Creek, sister-in-law; Gracie Scanlon and brother-in-law; Joe Ricci, both of Missoula. Five grandchildren; Jason, Tony, Jill, Andy, and Jeremy, nine great grandchildren; along with several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that kept her in their prayers.
Our heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Cooney Rest Home in Helena for the excellent care Marietta received during her long stay there.
A vigil service will be held in Livingston at St. Mary’s Church on Sunday Aug.14 at 6:00 PM. A funeral mass on Monday Aug.15 at 11:00 AM, Interment will be at the Calvary Cemetery, Livingston following the mass.
Memorials in the donor’s name may be sent to the Education fund for St. Mary School, Livingston, Mt.
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Service Schedule
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debbie white-juhnke says
connie thinking about you, its sad that we learn so much about someone from the obituaries. your mom had a good life and very full life, from Italy to wonderful Montana. love debbie
June Little says
My thoughts and prayers are with you. She was a great lady
Pat Collins says
What a sweet,wonderful,caring person and a great cook on top of that. I remember a hunting trip to Gardiner MT when Mike had an elk tag and then we were heading into Yellowstone by snomobile. When stopping to say hi Marietta had a full blown spagetti dinner for all of us an there must have been about 10 of us. What a great LADY! Rest in peace Marietta.