Rita Margaret (Duffy) Smith

WESTBOROUGH- Rita Margaret (Duffy) Smith, 91, of Westborough, died March 24th in the company of her family after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease.  She was the daughter of Eugene and Margaret Merchant Duffy, and the sister of Richard and Thomas Duffy (all deceased).  Rita was married to Paul Albert Smith, Sr. who predeceased her in 1988.

Rita lived in Westborough her whole life, was a 1938 graduate of Westborough High School and graduated from South Middlesex Secretarial School in 1939.  Her life's work had been raising her family, the administrative duties of the family business and engaging in the life of St. Luke's Parish. Rita was an especially dedicated Eucharistic Minister for many years and enjoyed her Ministry to the Sick.  Other activities with the church included teaching Religious Education for many years, and participation in the St. Luke's Women's Club and the Catholic Senior Adults.  She was a longtime member of the Democratic Town Committee.  Rita delighted in her time with her family, loved to laugh and tell stories, the color purple, bowling and playing card games. She was an accomplished pianist, having studied for many years in her young life and shared this gift with her family.

Rita’s family includes her children, Sharrie and husband Robert Grady of Westborough;  Paul Smith, Jr. of Wolfeboro, NH;  Kathleen Tatro Smith and husband Thomas Smith (deceased) of Paxton; Jean Smith and Dennis Kennedy (deceased) of Newton; Mary and husband Brien Cullen of Westborough;  Marguerite and husband Thomas Kerr of Westborough; and John and wife Noreen Johnson Smith of Charlton.  She will be forever missed by grandchildren Rob, Tim, Mark, Meg, Penny, Stephanie, PJ, Heather, Heidi, Meagan, Sam, Nathan (deceased), Mia, Casey, Kelly, Alison, Keegan, Liam, Brianna, Emily, Ainsley, all their families including great grandchildren  Eamon, Aislinn, Cian, Shaelan, Mikayla, Liam, Emma O, Kyle, Kayla, Kevin, Maible, Mairead, Emma M, Erin and Ella.  She was the sister-in -law of Patricia "Bunny" Perron and Geraldine Duffy, both of Westborough. She also leaves many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the Beaumont Rehabilitation and Salmon Hospice care givers who attended her so lovingly.

We will always remember Rita's laughter, her beauty, her sharp wit, her pride in her family, her loving blues eyes and her sweet tooth.

Rita’s funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, March 29, at 10:00 A.M. in St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 70 West Main St., Westborough. Burial will follow in St. Luke’s Cemetery.

Calling hours at the Britton-Summers Funeral Home, 4 Church St., Westborough, are Wednesday, March 28, from 4 to 7 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rita's memory can be made to St. Luke the Evangelist Church Memorial Fund, 70 West Main Street, Westborough, MA 01581

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