Rita Smith, 91

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Rita Smith, 91Westborough – Rita Margaret (Duffy) Smith, 91, of Westborough, died Saturday, March 24, 2012 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. She was married to Paul Albert Smith Sr., who predeceased her in 1988.

Mrs. Smith lived in Westborough her whole life. She 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. She 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. In addition, she was a longtime member of the Democratic Town Committee.

Mrs. Smith delighted in her time with her family, and 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.

Her family includes her children, Sharrie and husband Robert Grady of Westborough, Paul Smith Jr. of Wolfeboro, N.H., 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 her grandchildren, Rob, Tim, Mark, Meg, Penny, Stephanie, PJ, Heather, Heidi, Meagan, Sam, Nathan (deceased), Mia, Casey, Kelly, Alison, Keegan, Liam, Brianna, Emily, and Ainsley, as well as 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 caregivers 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.”

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, March 29, at 10 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 Mrs. Smith's memory may be made to St. Luke the Evangelist Church Memorial Fund, 70 West Main St., Westborough, MA 01581.

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