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Rita P. Allitto
April 11, 2018

Obituary


Rita P. (Scarsciotti) Allitto passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 after a brief illness with her loving family by her side. She was a longtime resident of Woburn and was previously from Medford and Falmouth.
Born in Boston on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1929, she was the daughter of Joseph and Amelia (Novello) Scarsciotti. She was raised in Boston and was educated in the Boston Public School system.

Rita was the loving and devoted wife of Charles (Charlie) Allitto with whom she shared 69 years of marriage. They met while in high school and married on November 8, 1948 at St. Mary's Church in the North End of Boston. Rita and Charlie raised their family in Medford and Woburn, Massachusetts. In addition to her loving husband, she is survived by her four daughters, Charlotte Janis and her husband Andrew of Fairfield, CT, Christine Rivers and her husband Rick of Boxford, MA, Collette Knightly and her husband Michael of Chelmsford, MA and Corinne Doherty and her husband Daniel of Danvers, MA. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren Jacqueline and Stephanie Janis, Scott and Jonathan Rivers, Allison and Andrew Knightly and Samantha and Daniel Doherty. She is also survived by her brother Joseph Scarsciotti of Pembroke, MA and predeceased by her brothers Anthony Scarsciotti and Robert Scarsciotti. She was the loving aunt of many nieces and nephews.

In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, she was dedicated to caring for the elderly working at both Emory Nursing Home in Medford, MA and Country Club Heights in Woburn, MA. She was a Certified Nursing Assistant (CRN) through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and she received special recognition for the outstanding care she provided all of her patients.

Since faith was an important part of Rita's life, she was an active member of both St Raphael's parish in Medford, MA and St Barbara's parish in Woburn, MA. At St. Raphael's she was involved in many aspects of the community including major fundraising for the new elementary school, serving as a Prefect of St Raphael's Sodality, and acting as a delegate for the archdiocesan Sodalities of Our Lady. She started the Living Rosary as a way to honor the Blessed Mother and to share a special ceremony with Sodality members. She also coordinated and participated in the Ecumenical Council of Religious Woman, which included women across multiple faiths. At St Barbara's she participated in the Woman's Club, the CCD program, and in many fundraising activities including the Fall Festival and the yearly variety show.

Rita and Charlie were lifetime members of the Medford Boat Club where they spent many summers with family and friends. Rita loved to play bocce and founded the Women's Nighttime Bocce League, which allowed more women a chance to play the game. She served as the league president for many years.

As a mother of twin girls, Rita was very active at the local, state and national levels of the Mothers of Twins Association. She held many positions within the organization serving as the president of both the Founding Chapter and the Massachusetts State Chapter. She served as a state delegate at the National Organization of Mothers of Twins annual convention attending 37 conventions held in locations across the United States. What Rita enjoyed most about participating was supporting twin research and having the opportunity to help other mothers learn to care for twins.

Rita enjoyed the company of many friends from all walks of life, and was always ready to lend them a helping hand when needed. Her friends were there for her as well, which she always appreciated. Rita was also active in the Woburn Middlesex Lions Club where she served as the parliamentarian. She was passionate about their mission and dedicated to this organization. Most of all, Rita loved her family; they were the focal point of her life. She was devoted to her husband, four daughters and their families. She loved nothing better than preparing a holiday meal and enjoying special time surrounded by her family.

Her last few weeks were spent at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, MA. The family would like to express their gratitude for the compassionate and loving care provided by the nursing staff.

Funeral services for Rita will be held from the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Family Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., WOBURN, Monday, April 16th, at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Barbara Church, 138 Cambridge Rd., Woburn, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, from 3 to 7 p.m. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Rita's memory to the MA Lions Eye Research Fund Inc., Dr. James Roth, Treasurer, 43 Stewart Terrace, Belmont, MA 02478 or at www.mlerfi.org



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Mc Laughlin - Dello Russo Funeral Service
60 Pleasant Street
Woburn, MA 01801
781-933-0083