Rebecca Jill Chizzo, of Sudbury, MA, passed away on March 14, 2024, after a long illness which began five years earlier.

Rebecca battled valiantly through numerous challenges, and while her family and friends are profoundly saddened at her passing, we also celebrate that she is at peace in the presence of our Lord and Savior.

Rebecca was born in 1959 and raised in southern Illinois by her parents, Marv and Esther Blanton, who lovingly encouraged her appreciation of art and music. Rebecca earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree from the University of Illinois as an accomplished pianist and violinist…all the while nurturing a lifelong love of classic rock. During her studies, she met her future husband, Scott Chizzo, and they eventually started their life together in California.

In the early 1990's, Rebecca and Scott resettled in Sudbury, MA, and became active members of the community. Their first daughter, Emily, tragically passed away after only one day of life. Several years later their daughter, Olivia, was born, and Rebecca became involved in the local school system and civic causes. Rebecca embodied the best of qualities: unconditional love of family, strength of spirit, and a heart for service to her community.

In an extraordinary act of service, Rebecca founded a nonprofit organization called S.W.E.E.T. that focused on the eradication of invasive plant species in Sudbury and the surrounding areas. She organized work parties, collaborated with schools and city managers, obtained federal grants, and rolled up her sleeves, wielding large root wrenches and shovels while removing countless truckloads of invasive plants that were affecting the native ecosystems.

Rebecca's husband, Scott, passed away in 2012, leaving Rebecca the additional challenge of continuing to raise their daughter on her own. Rebecca became a strong advocate for Olivia's education, all while supporting Olivia's own interests in music, and a myriad of other pursuits.

Rebecca continued leading her nonprofit organization until the day illness suddenly struck and robbed her of that passion. For the past five years Rebecca lived in Colorado while facing many difficult days, and some good ones, but always exhibiting her strong spirit and love of family…and often with some Led Zeppelin playing in the background.

Family and friends are invited to gather for a period of visitation at Memorial Congregational Church, 26 Concord Road, Sudbury on Saturday, April 6th beginning at 2 pm.  Rebecca's funeral service will follow at 3 pm.  Burial at New Town Cemetery, Sudbury.

To attend the funeral service remotely, please access the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81964915954?pwd=MHZraExnWjJoaHA0UDV0d0hQc0E3dz09

Meeting ID: 819 6491 5954

Passcode: 087876

In lieu of flowers, Rebecca's family asks that contributions be made in her honor to the American Diabetes Association .

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.