Sandra Pizzarello (b. 1933) was a brilliant scientist, wife, mother and grandmother. Her groundbreaking work with meteorites redefined the key to the origins of life before it began on earth (Science 1997). Dr. Pizzarello was well known as the co-discoverer, with Dr. John Cronin, of enantiomeric excesses in amino acids extracted from meteorites, and for studies of the origins of homochirality in Earth biochemistry. She performed important work on asymmetric catalysis of biochemical reactions using non-racemic mixtures amino acids. Dr. Pizzarello’s work was characterized by the most careful attention to detail and she was lauded as an international expert in the analysis of organic material from meteorites. She loved her work and spent most days in her lab prior to the onset of COVID making that impossible.
Dr. Pizzarello was born in Venice (Italy) in 1933 and studied in nearby Padua, where she obtained a Doctorate in Biological Sciences. After a brief fellowship, she “stayed home” to raise a family of four children (Elsa Behney, Rocco Pizzarello, Francesco Pizzarello (d.2003), and Annalisa Pizzarello). When she moved to the U.S. in 1970 with her family, she re-entered the professional sphere and joined the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department of Arizona State University in 1977, where she recently retired as a Research Professor.
A life-long lover of dogs (especially Great Danes), gardening (especially orchids), she was able to sew anything from dresses to weaving curtains. The only thing she did not seem to be able to do was cook. She is survived by her husband, Tony, her sister, Renata Fabbri, her three children and four grandchildren (Alex Behney, Michael Pizzarello, Nico Conway, and Matteo Conway).
Funeral service will be held on Monday, November 1, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 East Indian School Road, Phoenix.
In lieu of flowers please consider sending a donation in honor of Sandra to One Dane at a Time a rescue in California at: https://onedaneatatime.org/.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26
Antonio Francesconi
Sandra e ‘ stata una vera amica il cui spirito e la cui intelligenza saranno sempre nella mia memoria. Mi ha sempre dimostrato un grande affetto e una stima che non ho mai pensato di meritare. Con Lei se ne va una parte della mia vita ma rimarranno per sempre dei bellissimi ricordi i più vecchi dei quali risalgono a quando ero bambino. Con il dolore per la sua perdita sono sinceramente vicino a Nino, Sussi, Annalisa e Rocco.
Oris Friesen
I am so sorry to hear this about Sandra. My deepest condolences and sympathy to Tony and the entire family.
–Oris Friesen
Alberto Francesconi
Una parte di mondo se ne va, il resto vive nel cuore di quanti le hanno voluto bene. Un forte abbraccio a Nino, Sussi, Rocco e Annalisa
Cristel Francesconi
Ho avuto la fortuna di conoscere Sandra, suo marito e i suoi splendidi figli che abbraccio con affetto.
Steven Nelson
I had the privilege of being Sandra’s physician for twenty years. She was always fascinating in her broad knowledge and interests. I will miss our visits. Condolences to her family.
Bala
May the soul Rest in Peace. My deepest condolences for the Entire Family.
Steven Benner
I always made a point of going to lunch with Sandra whenever I was in Tempe, the last time just before the pandemic in February 2020. Her wit, warmth, and charm was matched by her brilliance as an organic chemist, where she transformed our understanding of organic molecules in meteorites, including those that may have helped spark life on Earth.
Piero Candiani
Apprendiamo solo ora questa triste notizia.Ricordandola con grande affetto e immaginandola ora assieme alla sua grande amica Adriana, Vi siamo vicini e Vi abbracciamo . Piero e Stefania