Lisa Marie Pizza

September 26, 1971 - March 22, 2020

Lisa Pizza was born the eldest twin on September 26th, 1971, in Chicago to Nancy (nee Paffumi) and Donald Grandolfo.  She passed away in her home on March 22nd, 2020, at the age of 48, in the presence of family. Without a doubt, Lisa will be remembered for her strong spirit, helpful personality, and her beautiful and infectious smile.  Lisa loved to travel, spend time with her family, and was loved by all.  Lisa had several meaningful friendships throughout her life, many dating back to grammar school.  Lisa was a genuine friend, and she always made sure to keep in touch with them all because she knew the value of bonding relationships. Lisa worked in banking for over 25 years.  She started at LaSalle Bank as a teller, and soon became a teller supervisor.  When the opportunity arose, Lisa switched her banking career paths to lead the help desk for Business Banking.  Before long, Lisa was working with a team of seven Business Bankers helping a number of High End Customers.  Her next significant move was to MB Financial to create, and lead a Business Banking Support Team.  Lisa worked diligently, helping clients, bankers, and her team alike creating a department of several people and two divisions.  Lisa loved a challenge, researching, helping clients, and being a great teammate, so when MB Financial was purchased by 5th/3rd Bank, Lisa was elected to stay on and expand her role to Department Manager.  Anyone who worked with Lisa, her customer, her co-workers from upper management to the mail room staff, and all in-between always respected her drive, personality, and kindness. When Lisa met her future husband on a blind date originally set up by a friend, nobody knew then that after their 36 hour first date, she had professed she was going to marry this man.  Just as she predicted, on June 4th, 2011 she married Chris C. Pizza and raised their two sons.  Lisa's greatest pride was being a wife and mother, and family was the 'World' to her.  She was also extremely close to her mother, sisters, nieces and nephews and aunts. Lisa loved to entertain.  Along with her husband, they would have family over for a big Thanksgiving meal every year.  She would also often host 'Girl's Night" and orchestrate 'Casino Trips' with family and friends.  Lisa's home was always open to those she loved and cherished. Lisa is survived by her husband Chris Pizza, son Angelo Pizza, step-son Luke Pizza, parents Nancy and Donald Grandolfo (Breisa), sisters, twin Regina Grandolfo, (Joseph Calkins) and Nicole MacIntyre (Jeremiah), parent in-laws, Richard and Barbara Pizza, brother in law Richard Pizza (Lori), nieces and nephews, Santino, Tyler, Jaylynn, Angelina, Kiersten, Jacob, Kylie and Jacquelynn, great nephews, Angelo and Aiden, aunts Rose Reaves and Christina Paffumi, and many cousins. Memorial visitation Thursday, April 29, 2021, from 2 pm until 8 pm at Pedersen Ryberg Funeral Home, 435 N. York Street, Elmhurst, Illinois.  Due to Covid-19 restrictions, masks and social distancing are required, with a maximum of 50 attendees allowed at any one time.  Burial of cremated remains Friday, April 30, at 11 am at Mount Emblem Cemetery in Elmhurst.  Guests are asked to meet at the funeral home at 10 am for procession to cemetery.  Please arrive no later than 10:30 am.  Attendance is limited to 50 people.