Rita G. (Venezia) Mercurio
Rita G. Mercurio
1923 – 2021
Born Rita G.Venezia in East Cambridge MA. She was the youngest of three children born to Lawrence and Margaret Venezia. Rita was proud of her second generation American Sicilian Italian heritage. Her father was a fine furniture creator and carpenter. A gentle, strong man that loved to dote on his family. Rita attended school in Cambridge, afterwards, she worked customer service in the food industry. During the war years she worked making parts for a company supplying iron lungs for the military. At that time she met a co-worker, Joseph Mercurio, who became her husband of 59 years. Joseph retired from MIT where he was a machinist for 40 years. They made their home in Acton, MA. The marriage produced two beloved children, Charles and Margaret (aka Peggy Bellwood) and one grandchild, Rachael Bellwood.
She was preceded in death by her siblings Lawrence Venezia (1995) , Edna Raymondi (2009) as well as her husband, Joseph Mercurio in 2003
Miss Rita, as she was popularly known, was a charismatic, clever, artistic woman that had a passion for life. Stylish and petite she loved fashion and art. She and Joseph traveled extensively throughout the USA and Canada. Entertaining was her joy. A great homemaker with a flair for cooking and decorating, she had a welcoming spirit displayed to all visitors. Her final years were spent at both her childrens’ homes where Rita was an active presence guiding and supporting their steps. Miss Ritas’ love of celebrations and holidays was infectious so she left a vault of fond memories for passing on to future generations. Rita passed away at 98, peacefully, of natural causes, at home surrounded by family. She is survived by her daughter Peggy Bellwood, granddaughter: Racheal Bellwood, son: Charles Mercurio, daughter in law: Andrea Mercurio, several nieces and many well wishers / friends. Ritas’ ashes will be spread through the White Mountains of NH.
Share
Let the family know you care by sharing this tribute.
May dear Miss Rita rest in peace.
Mom Rita,
Thank you so much for being a part of my life.
You made us all much better people. Miss Rita you were a blessing to all who passed through our home just by being here.
May your well deserved rest be beautifully in peace.
It was a pleasure meeting you, Rita. Thank you.
To Andrea and Charles, my deepest condolences. I am so happy to have met your lovely Mom, I met her a few times but she always treated me like we had been friends forever! May she Rest In Peace!!❤️
My condolences to the family. I am grateful to have had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Rita. May her sweet soul rest in peace.
Mrs. Beautiful Rita it was a blessing to have cross paths in this life. I know that going home is both a joyous and sad occasion. You were truly a joy to be around full of life and laughter. You will surely be missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of your family during this time. She was a very lovely and very kind woman.. I always felt welcomed by her when we would meet. Even though she is no longer physically here, she will always be with you in spirit. You will carry her love and caring with you always along with all of your memories of her.
Charles & Peggy, I’m so sorry for your loss, Barbara just told me of Aunt Rita’s passing. She was a great Aunt and I remember all our childhood holiday get-together at your hour or my folks. They are all up there now dancing and singing and pain free!
Love,
Liz and Bill