Maggie Rizer

Maggie Rizer – “Blue Valentine” New York City Premiere – Arrivals – Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53rd Street – New York City, NY, USA, 2010 – Photo Credit: Sylvain Gaboury / PR Photos

Birth Name: Margaret Mary Rizer

Place of Birth: Staten Island, New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: January 9, 1978

Ethnicity: Irish (roughly one half), English, German, 1/16th Norwegian, remote French

Maggie Rizer is an American model. She is also an activist for AIDS-related causes and nonprofit medical service organization Operation Smile.

Her father Kevin died from AIDS when she was fourteen. She was raised in Watertown, New York, by her mother and stepfather. Maggie is married to businessperson Alex Mehran, with whom she has four children.

Maggie’s paternal grandfather was Allen Edward “Jerry” Rizer (the son of Harry Thomas Rizer and Alice Louise Kelly). Jerry was born in Ohio. Harry was the son of Charles Wilson Rizer, who had deep roots in the U.S., and of Ellen Agnes “Nellie” Gallivan, whose parents were Irish, from County Kerry. Alice was the daughter of Edward Simpson Kelly, whose father was from Galway, Ireland, and whose maternal grandparents were also Irish; and of Sara Jane O’Dea, whose father was also of Irish descent.

Maggie’s paternal grandmother was Joy Madeline Thompson (the daughter of Robert William Thompson and Frances Annie Martinsen). Joy was born in New York. Robert was born in Brooklyn, to English parents, Richard Thompson and Mary Ann Peel. Frances was the daughter of Simon Martinsen, a Norwegian emigrant, from Larvik, and of Annie Barbra Seitz, whose parents were German, from Bavaria.

Maggie’s maternal grandfather was Raymond J. McGowan (the son of Thomas McGowan and Rebecca Roche/Roach). Raymond was born in New Jersey. Thomas was born in New Jersey, to Irish parents. Rebecca was born in New Jersey, also to Irish parents, Thomas Roche/Roach and Mary A.

Maggie’s maternal grandmother likely was Bernice A. Wall (the daughter of Richard Peter Wall and Bena Mae/May White). Bernice was born in New York. Richard was the son of Bartholomew Nelson Wall, whose father was from Ireland and whose mother was from England; and of Mary Anne Kiernan, who was an Irish immigrant. Bena was the daughter of John William White, whose father was German, and whose mother had deep roots in the U.S.; and of Rose “Rosie” Jacobs, whose father, and maternal grandparents, were German.

Sources: Marriage record of Maggie’s parents – http://www.familysearch.org

Maggie’s maternal grandfather, Raymond J. McGowan, on the 1930 U.S. Census – http://www.familysearch.org

Obituary of Maggie’s maternal great-uncle (grandfather’s brother) – http://www.legacy.com

Maggie’s maternal grandmother, Bernice Wall, on the 1940 U.S. Census – http://www.familysearch.org