Barbara Risoli Obituary

Lifelong Peekskill resident Barbara M. Risoli (nee Chefalo) passed away peacefully on February 12, 2025, at the age of 88. Born on July 14, 1936, to the late Gerald and Julia (nee Pacia) Chefalo. Barbara was pre-deceased by her sister, Leona M. Fisher (nee Chefalo). Barbara owns Park Motors of Peekskill, founded by her late father in 1946.
Barbara graduated from Peekskill High School in 1954, where she began her courtship with the love of her life, Alexander J. "Buddy" Risoli. Married on June 21, 1958, at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Peekskill, Barbara and Buddy, until he died in 2016, built a life filled with family, friends, and service to their beloved hometown.
Channeling her passion for cooking and keeping everyone well-fed, Barbara was the Director of the Peekskill Nutrition Program for over 25 years since its inception in 1976, where she, among other things, championed the take-home supper program, ensuring that vulnerable senior citizens remained healthy. In 2012, along with her husband, Barbara was named Distinguished Italians by Festa Italiana, and she expressed her pride in being Italian American and, more importantly, being from Peekskill. Barbara loved being a true "Peekskill girl," noting her family's 130-year-old roots in the city. To that end, Barbara volunteered with numerous organizations in Peekskill, including the Jr. Women's Club, where she was president, and PTAs at Hillcrest, PMS, and PHS, where she also held leadership positions. She was a dedicated Girl Scout leader and a Habitat for Humanity volunteer. Barbara began the 1st grade CCD class at Assumption Church, teaching for over 15 years. With veteran librarian Claire Finnegan, Barbara started a RIF reading van to bring the love of reading to all children in Peekskill. She will be remembered as "Grandma" by the countless young people whose lives she touched.
Barbara is survived by her beloved daughters, Allison L. Risoli, of Peekskill; Carolyn M. Risoli and her husband, Joseph M. Silvestri, of New York City; her two cherished grandchildren, Alex and Olivia Silvestri, of New York City. Nothing brought Barbara greater joy than being "Nonna" to her grandchildren, who were the light of her life. Her "baby" brother, Gerard A. "Roddy" Chefalo of Saginaw, MI, also survives her along with multiple nieces and nephews, to whom she is Aunt Bobbie.
The family wishes to express gratitude to all those who loved and supported Barbara in her later years after losing her home of 60 years to fire - from those who filled her with new friendships at the Villa St. Francis to wonderful caregivers, especially Mariah Garrett.
The family will receive friends on Friday, February 21st, from 9:00 am - 10:30 am at Mount Saint Francis, 250 South Street, Peekskill, NY, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at the Mount Saint Francis church with interment in the Assumption Cemetery, Cortlandt Manor. Memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Barbara's name, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, Tenn., 38105, or at
https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=8715536&fr_id=154020&pg=personal
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara, please visit our floral store.