Mandy J. Ricco, 45, of Monmouth, IL passed away at 7:20 pm, Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at her home.
Mandy was born April 30, 1976, in Havre de Grace, Maryland, the daughter of Joyce Ilene Hoage and Terry Dean Thomas. She was raised and educated in Fairfield, Iowa, graduating from Larkin High School in Elgin, IL. Mandy received her Associate’s Degree from Carl Sandburg College in 2001, Bachelor’s Degree in Education as well as her Master’s Degree in Reading Education both from Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL.
Mandy married Anthony Joseph “Tony” Ricco in Monmouth, IL on March 5, 1998, and he survives.
While attending college, Mandy worked at the Daily Review Atlas in Monmouth. She later was the Title I Reading Specialist at United Township High School in East Moline for 7 years. In 2012, she retired early due to symptoms of her Huntington’s Disease.
She enjoyed spending the majority of her time with her daughter, granddaughter, and her Pomeranians. When she taught, she was wholeheartedly dedicated to her students and loved her job. When her children were young, she devoted a great deal of time to community service activities, volunteering as Girl Scout Troop Leader, Art Presenter at local schools, and was a proud member of Kappa Delta Pi. She was also passionate when it came to rescuing and breeding Pomeranians.
Survivors include her husband, Tony Ricco; daughter, Mackenzie Ricco; son, Draque Ricco; her granddaughter, Ilene Ricco, all of Monmouth, IL; her mother, Joyce (Bruce) Hanson of Galena, IL; Paternal grandmother, Carolyn Talley of Fairfield, IA; brothers, Dustin (Jenna) Benson of California and Kristopher (Sarah) Thomas of Issatuah, WA; aunts, Cheryl (Tom) Bradley and Amy (Dan Miller) Hoage; her uncles, Jerry (Cindy) Hoage, Jr, and Mike Barber; nephew, Hunter Benson; and nieces, Sara Bradley and Caroline Benson; along with her cousins, Mattea Miller, Levi Miller, Matt Hoage, Tyler Hoage, Ann Barber-Fruland, and Erin Barber-Macentee.
She was preceded in death by her father; maternal grandparents, Jerard Bernerd, and Ilene Maxwell Hoage.
A gathering of family and friends will be from 2:00-4:00 pm, Saturday, September 25, 2021, McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL. Cremation has been accorded. Memorials may be given to the Mandy J. Ricco Memorial Fund. For more information or to leave an online condolence please visit, www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com.
