Grace Rizzi-Gallipoli, 87, is the first woman ever to be named Patchogue's 2019 Italian-American of the Year. A dinner and reception in Rizzi-Gallipoli's honor is set for tonight at 6 p.m. at the Locale Gastro Bar and Pizzette on West Main Street in Patchogue. Tickets are $25 and are available both online and at the door.

Rizzi-Gallipoli is the first woman to receive the recognition from the Patchogue Italian Feast of Saint Liberata committee, according to the Facebook event page. She was born Feb. 13, 1932, in Montescaglioso, Italy and eventually moved to New York after marrying husband Nicola (Nick) Gallipoli in 1954.