Joan Rizio

Joan Lee Swezey Rizio, a lifelong resident of Manchester, died on Monday, November 17, 2025, in the home that she and her husband Joseph A. Rizio bought more than 50 years ago.

Joan was born on September 24, 1940 in Bennington, to Mavis Smith Swezey and Christopher Swezey. One of four children in the family, Joan grew up on Routes 11/30 across the road from her grandparents. She enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and playing with the family's dogs and rabbits. This love for animals continued into her adulthood, with numerous dogs and cats the recipients of her love and generous treat-giving.

She attended Manchester schools and graduated from Burr and Burton Seminary in 1958. Further education included a nursing degree (RN) from St. Luke's Hospital Nursing School in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Joan was an avid athlete, playing field hockey, basketball, and softball, and was a member of cheer teams. She became very well known in her adult life for her success as a golfer around New England. Joan loved being outdoors and she very much loved Vermont, this beautiful place she called home. She enjoyed riding the back roads and seeing “the wide open land” that she hoped would remain so. Travel throughout her life would cause her frequent refrain, “I am so glad to see all this open land preserved”. This fall's dry weather afforded her lots of opportunities to lift the dust on many roads.

Joan loved giving to others. She served in so many capacities for schools, organizations, golf clubs, and her church. She coached sports first with her children and later at Long Trail School. She was a camp counselor and leader of Girl Scouts. She held offices in the Vermont Women's Golf Association and at the clubs where she and Joe belonged. Joan managed the church grounds and, with Joe's carpentry and Johnny Hinrichs' stained glass expertise, was responsible for securing FCC's many stained glass windows.

In her career, she used her nursing skills at the office of Dr. Frank Harrigan in Manchester Village. She also worked at the Putnam Memorial Hospital in Bennington but ultimately found great satisfaction doing private duty nursing for residents in the Manchester area. Her discretion and cheerful nature were valued aspects of her work. After retiring from nursing, Joan found pleasure in spending time with young people by substitute teaching at LTS for decades.

Joan was a generous, fun-loving person with a ready laugh and a true appreciation for the people in her life. It has been noted that “When Joan was talking with you, she made you feel like the only person in the room.” Joan loved a good joke, so long as it was not hurtful, and spent a lot of time playing card games with Joe and their friends. Joan and Joe also played in many golf tournaments and always had a tee time with their golfing buddies on the weekends.

Joan married Joe on October 6, 1962 at the First Congregational Church in Manchester. They lived on Williams Street before purchasing a home on Rootville Road, where they raised Kimberlee and Joseph. Kim still lives in Manchester. Joseph lives in Wilmington. Joan has four grandchildren: Mackenzie of Hanover, NH; Grace of Wilmington; Abigail of Wilmington; and Luke of Wilmington and currently a sophomore at UVM. Joan and Joe had a third child, Tracy, who died at birth. Joan was predeceased by her husband Joe in 2007

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 23, at 1 pm at the First Congregational Church with burial following at Factory Point Cemetery. Calling hours will be Saturday, November 22 from 5 to 7 pm at Brewster Funeral Home, 34 Park Place, Manchester. Joan loved cut flowers, and so floral arrangements are welcome. Memorial contributions may be made to the Second Chance Animal Shelter or Long Trail School c/o Brewster Funeral Service, PO Box 885, Manchester, VT 05255. To send personal e-mail condolences to the family, visit http://www.sheafuneralhomes.com.