Rita H. (Murphy) Smith
August 11, 1922 — April 9, 2017
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Past Services
Visitation
Funeral Mass
Interment
Rita H. (Murphy) Smith
Rita was born on August 11, 1922, one of nine children of the late Michael J. and Agnes (Howard) Murphy. Born and raised in Charlestown, Rita was married to J. Franklin Smith in 1940, and they settled in Malden to raise a family of three children.
A devoted homemaker, mother and wife, Rita also worked while raising her family. In her younger years, she worked on the assembly line at United Car Fastener then in the produce section at 1st National Grocery Store in Melrose, and later as an OR technician at Malden Hospital.
Rita was always close to her family and particularly her sisters who she traveled with over many years. She enjoyed trips to Europe, California, Hawaii, Alaska, and by train or car throughout North America with husband Frank. In her free time, Rita always loved to dance. She enjoyed square dancing in Winchester, or line dancing with the Medford Council on Aging every week for many years.
Rita will be most remembered for her love of socializing. True to her Irish heritage, Rita loved to talk, share stories of her family, and had a great sense of humor. Rita would talk to anyone and everyone, and was especially happy and proud to tell stories of her grandchildren. She made many friends over the years, and was always happy to share a laugh or a story with them. Rita will missed, but always lovingly remembered.
Rita was the beloved wife of the late J. Franklin "Frank" Smith with whom she shared 39 years of marriage. Devoted mother of Wayne Smith and his wife Elizabeth of N. Billerica, Corinne Cattoggio and her husband Frank of Medford, and Christine Burke and her husband Steve of Malden. Predeceased by 8 siblings. Cherished grandmother of Jennifer Tate, Jason Smith, Justine Surabian, Scott Cattoggio, Heather Beatty and Adam Burke. Also survived by 6 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather for visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Monday, April 17 from 4-8pm, and again on Tuesday morning at 9am before leaving in procession to Immaculate Conception Church, 600 Pleasant St., Malden for her Funeral Mass celebrated at 10am. Interment in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Gifts in memory of Rita may be made to the American Heart Association, 300 5th Ave., Ste 6, Waltham, MA 02451.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rita H. (Murphy) Smith, please visit our flower store.
Past Services
Visitation
Monday, April 17, 2017
4:00 - 8:00 pm
Robinson Funeral Home
Funeral Mass
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Starts at 10:00 am
Immaculate Conception Church
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