Rita J. Santoro, 86, of Orchard Meadows Drive in Smithfield, passed away on Thursday, May 15, in her home and surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late William H. Santoro. They had been married for 58 years.
Born in Providence, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (Gacicia ) Gelardi. She has lived in Smithfield for 60 years and also Boynton Beach, Florida.
She is survived by her three children, Susan M. Bennett and her husband Noel of North Providence, William H. Santoro, Jr. and his wife Doreen of Greenville, and Lisa A. Gomes of North Providence, as well as her four grandchildren, Michael and Matthew Santoro, Nicholas Bennett and Haley Gomes. She was a great grandmother to Brayden and Ashlyn Bennett. She was the sister of Joseph P. Gelardi of Braintree, MA., and the sister of the late Nina Caminiti and Anna M. Massarone.
Her funeral will be held Monday, May 19, at 9 a.m. from the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Rt 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. A Mass of Christian Burial to which relatives and friends are invited will be held at 10 a.m. in St. Michael’s Church, 80 Farnum Pike, Smithfield. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Park Cemetery, Johnston. Visitation will be held Sunday May 18th from 2-5 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Michael’s Food Closet, 80 Farnum Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917.