Diane Rizzuto

Diane Rizzuto, 71, of Norwich, Connecticut, passed away at her Florida home on April 13, 2026. She was born on February 13, 1955, in Taftville, Connecticut, to Lucien “Kid” and Bertha Morrissette Auger.

Diane was a dedicated businesswoman and caregiver throughout her life. She was co-owner of the family business, Rizzuto’s Hilltop House Restaurant, and later owned and operated Auntie Di’s Daycare until her retirement in 2020. She was an active member of the Taftville Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and the Taftville Lions Club, and she was of the Catholic faith.

Diane often said that when she retired, she wanted to live somewhere warm and sunny. She made that dream a reality alongside her loving husband, Bill, as they became snowbirds, spending summers in Connecticut and winters in Haines City, Florida. She cherished staying connected with her family and was grateful to recently watch her beloved granddaughter, Piper, compete in an equestrian event just this past weekend via the internet.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Bertha and Lucien “Kid” and her brother, Dan Auger. Diane is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, William Rizzuto; her daughter, Andrea Rizzuto Gabor and her wife, Lindsay Caron; her granddaughter, Piper Gabor; and her siblings, Jeanne O’Connell and her husband, Phil, Roy Dubreuil and his wife, Irene, Dan's wife, Peg, Mickey Joly and her husband, Andy, and Guy Auger and his wife, Di, as well as several nieces and nephews. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A celebration of life service will be held on July 12, 2026, from noon to 4:00pm at Knights of Columbus, South 2nd Street, Taftville, CT 06380. Memorial donations may be made to:

 National Kidney Foundation  or to  https://diabetes.org/