Rita A. (Gillis) Snydeman, a life-long Medford resident died on Thanksgiving at the Massachusetts General Hospital. She was 78.
Rita was born and raised in Medford, the daughter of the late James and the late Anna (Phalan) Gillis. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Rita worked for several years as a medical secretary at the former New England Memorial Hospital. Rita loved to cook for her family and enjoyed the company of her relatives and friends. She was also a member of St. Francis Mother’s Club.
The beloved wife of the late William Snydeman, Rita was the devoted mother of William J. Snydeman and his wife Colleen of Groton, Richard J. Snydeman and his wife Tressa of Reading, Sue Ann Foti and her partner Frank Figlioli of Sandown NH, Sandra Finn and her husband Ed of Medford and Joni Lee Snydeman and her partner Michael Forgione. Rita was the adored Grammy of: Shanley, Cayla and Torin Snydeman; Carly and Jesse Snydeman; Max and Tyler Foti; Ian and Alec Finn; Neil Schurko and his partner Amanda Small and Nicholas Schurko. Rita was a dear sister to James, Jon and David Gillis, Camilla Spinney, Nancy Rholeder, Deborah Ward, Jeri Tait and the late Lillian Bate, Trudy Smith and Carol Nigro. And she also leaves her beloved dog Holly.
Her funeral will be from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Monday, November 28th at 9 AM, followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Raphael Church, 512 High Street, Medford, at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend and may visit with the family Sunday from four thru eight.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent in Rita’s name to the Medford Fire Department, 120 Main St., Medford, MA 02155.