Virginia “Dolly” Rich, 93
Dateline: Norton, MA
Virginia “Dolly” (Squadrilli) Rich, 93, of Norton passed away on Monday September 20, 2010 at the Caritas Norwood Hospital in Norwood. She was the beloved wife of the late Clarence P. Rich, Sr. who died on August 10, 1976.
Born in Mansfield, MA on January 1, 1917 she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Teresa (Ermile) Squadrilli. She grew up in Mansfield and was educated in Mansfield public schools.
A dedicated homemaker to her adoring family, Mrs. Rich was a resident of Norton for the past 75 years. Dolly was very active in Norton town affairs. For many years she served as a poll worker at town elections and enjoyed attending annual town meetings.
An active communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Norton, Dolly was a former women of the Catholic Women’s Club. For many years she served on the church altar guild, was active with church bingo events and was a familiar face where she assisted at the annual Christmas Bazaar, and where her homemade apples pies were always a favorite.
Mrs. Rich was a member of the Norton Council on Aging, the Red Hat Society in Norton and when younger, volunteered her time with the American Heart Fund Association.
Dolly’s family was the focal point of her life and she was quite proud of her children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments. She especially enjoyed the wonderful times spent with her grandchildren great grandchildren and the “grand dogs.” Her family will always fondly remember her exceptional baking and cooking skills and the zest she showed for life.
An avid swimmer, Dolly possessed exceptional athletic skills in her younger years. She looked forward to summers spent on Cape Cod with her family and the winter months spent with her dear friends in Florida.
She is survived by her loving and devoted children Barbara V. Brown and her husband Vincent of Norton, Clarence P. “Butch” Rich, Jr. with whom she resided in Norton, Janet J. O’Reilly and her husband Ronald of Norton and Paul G. “Zeb” Rich of Norton and Falmouth. She was the cherished grandmother of James V. Brown of Norton and Jonathan E. O’Reilly and his wife Pia of Norton. The adoring grandmother of Stephanie J. Brown , Timothy J. Brown and Patrick R. O’Reilly all of Norton, she is also survived by many devoted nieces, nephews and friends. Mrs. Rich was the sister of the late Vincent Squadrilli, Dianna Cataloni, Mary Willette and Angie Babiec.
Her Funeral Mass, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be celebrated on Saturday September 25th at 10:00 A.M. in St. Mary’s Church 1 Power Street Norton. Burial will follow in the Norton Common Cemetery, Norton.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday September 24th from 3-8 P.M. at the Norton Memorial Funeral Home 19 Clapp St.(Off Route 140, Taunton Ave.) Norton.
In lieu of flowers, Dolly’s family has requested that donations in her memory be made to St. Mary’s Church Building Fund 1 Power St. Norton, MA 02766.
For additional information please visit www.nortonmemorial.com