Judith Ann Fonzi

On May 14, 2026, at age – well actually, looking much younger than she was.

She was the daughter of the late Louis and Cecilia Marraccini.

Judy was predeceased by her husband, William “Bill” Fonzi, Jr.

She was a loving mother to her children, Danielle (Bob) Daley, Carrie (Eric) Fonzi Reid, and Laura (Mark) Fonzi Rhodehamel.

She loved her grandchildren, and Max, Jack and Michael Daley, Ian Reid, along with Nina, Giuliana, Vittoria and Luca Rhodehamel will all miss her dearly. Contrary to popular belief, she did not have a grandson named Jason.

She was the sister of the late Donna Beam and Patricia O’Brien and is survived by her brother Louis Marraccini.

She is also survived by her major domo, Kelly Doris, who was a great help in the management of her household.

Now that the formalities are out of the way, it’s time for the important stuff. Judy, after a long career working in both the medical and legal fields retired and moved on to the more important things in life. She was a rock during her husband Bill’s final illness, and after selling the marital home ended up living at Munhall Retirement Residence. This is worth mentioning because never in the history of that facility did an apartment look as nice and smell as nice as hers. She was beautiful her entire life and took pride in making sure she never stepped out without looking that way.

She loved the occasional Baja Rosa or Miami Vice, was an occasional ripper of cigs in her early days, and loved slot machines. Those who remember the famous (infamous) Brownsville Inn will remember her with a Baja Rosa in one hand, a cig in the other and her poised over a video slot game designed to make the Brownsville Inn (and not Judy) money. Nonetheless, she did hit some jackpots in her life, and when she did, she always shared the wealth!

But perhaps most importantly, she was a Master Chef. It’s unfortunate that the Michelin guide is not coming to Pittsburgh until next year, because her kitchen definitely would have qualified for at least one star. Her stews, sauces, pork roasts, scalloped potatoes and Thanksgiving stuffing may be copied but they will never be duplicated. Though she wasn’t Mexican, her fajitas were the best in the world – and that is no exaggeration. And those dishes are only the tip of the Judy Fonzi cooking iceberg – everything she touched was delicious – because it came from a place of love. She did not, however, like vegetable lasagna because it assaulted her mouth. She loved cooking, not for herself, but for the joy and pleasure it gave those she loved, and that love of cooking will be sorely missed.

No obituary of Judy would be complete without talking about the Pittsburgh Steelers and her love of television dramas. She could yell at the TV with the best of them when the Steelers played and was a typical Pittsburgher in that regard. She loved TV drama series too, in particular Game of Thrones. Though she didn’t hear very well (and naturally refused to wear a hearing aid), and really didn’t know who everyone was on the show because she couldn’t really hear the sometimes-odd names (Tyrion, Tywin, Sansa, Arya, etc.), I’m sure one of her dying regrets was that she wasn’t going to be able to watch the next season of The House of the Dragon and she wouldn’t know whether Aaron Rodgers would return for another season (though for what it’s worth, in case Mike McCarthy or any high ranking Steeler execs read this, she was big proponent of giving Mason Rudolph a chance).

In short, Judy was the absolute best, and she has left us all way too soon.

At her request, there will be no viewing or service, but there will be a Celebration of Judy’s Life at a later date. All arrangements are private and have been entrusted to the George Irvin Green Funeral Home, Inc. in Munhall. Please leave your memories and condolences at www.georgeigreenfuneralhome.com.