John Bligh
- Retired Librarian
Students were quick to register their feelings when they learned of the death of retired PS 165 librarian Antoinette Pizzitola on Nov. 1.
Antoinette, 71, died of frontotemporal dementia.
“I remember I didn’t want to join the storytelling competition because I was nervous to speak in front of a large group. She was the one who motivated me, helped me pick a story and encouraged me to join,” Shahla Amirzada wrote.
“Mrs. Pizzitola was one of the few educators I’ve had in my life that left an impact. I’ll never forget her warmth,” Adel Alaiev said.
“You were such a kind and inspiring educator to me,” Mia CoCo Watson remembered.
Colleague Anthie Milanos said Antoinette was known as “the keeper of things literary” and was instrumental in getting the library fully automated so more students would have access to resources. Her husband, a visual artist, pitched in too, creating giant book covers for her to display to make the library appealing for students.
“She made children feel safe and secure,” Milanos said. “And she organized a Scrabble Club as a way to to teach that patience is a good thing, to make the most of what you have and to understand that words matter so choose them carefully.”
Antoinette’s daughter Nicolette said, “If you knew my Mom, you would understand how she pored over what new books to choose that would be exciting for young readers.”
Antoinette attended college at the same time as her three daughters and earned three degrees at St. John’s University, including a masters in library science. She started her career as an elementary school teacher, but she spent most of her career at PS 165 in Queens as a librarian. She retired in 2007.
Known for “rallying the troops for whatever cause or event,” Antoinette coordinated the Strides Walk and the brunch that followed “to celebrate how lucky we are to have each other,” Milanos said.
She described Antoinette as “a friend and mentor to new teachers” and said she was passionate about her position as co-Chapter Leader and UFT Delegate. “She considered it her mission to ensure that the contract was followed and performed her duties with discretion and diplomacy,” Milanos said.
“When I started at PS 165, Antoinette helped me feel like a part of the school and taught me how to get involved so that I became a co-Chapter leader when she stepped down,” Karen Konstan remembers.
“She knew how to engage her students and help them see the joy in learning. All of the students in the school loved going to the library,” Konstan added.
Antoinette suffered language loss as a result of her frontotemporal
dementia. But that didn’t stop her from communicating with her family.
“Her smile was still there,” said her daughter.
Antoinette is survived by her husband, Vincenzo (Enzo); her daughters, Marianne Pizzitola, Nicolette Pizzitola and Antoinette Croly and her husband, Scott; her grandson, Brogan Croly; her mother, Nicolette (Clara) Centrone; and her siblings, Benedette Cooper, Colette Marguy, Joseph Centrone, Ronnie Savino, Vinnie Savino, Benedette (Cookie) Savino, Joe Savino and Donna Leone.
Condolences may be sent to
https://donations.readingpartners.org/Antoinette or to www.theaftd.org/support-aftds-mission.
