Worcester
Rita A. (Rice) Purcell, 84, formerly of Patterson St. died Monday (Feb25) in the University Commons after an illness.
Her husband Patrick M. Purcell died in 1982. She leaves three nieces Anne Marie Murphy and Helen Murphy both of Worcester, and Joan Pariseau of Merritt Island, FL.
She was born in Worcester daughter of James B. and Christine (McCaffrey) Rice.
She worked as a clerk for the Water Department of the City of Worcester for many years before retiring several years ago. Prior to that she worked for the former Reed and Prince Company.
She was a member of Ascension Church.
A Funeral will be held Friday (March1) from Fay Brothers Funeral Home 9 Hammond St. with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Ascension Church 40 Vernon St. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery. Calling Hours are Thursday (Feb28) from 6 to 8p.m. at the funeral home.In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Association of Eastern Massachusetts 36 Cameron Ave. Cambridge, MA 02142