Grafton – Rita R. (Gentile) Hebert, 93, passed away Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015 following a sudden illness. She died peacefully at St. Vincent’s Hospital, surrounded by her family. Her husband of 45 years, Arthur A. Hebert, passed away in 1987.
Rita leaves her three sons, Michael A. Hebert of South Grafton, James E. Hebert of Virginia, and Thomas F. Hebert and his wife Susan of Spencer; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; her nieces, Cynthia Moran and Andrea Vickstrom; and her sister-in-law, Connie Hopkins of Florida. She was predeceased by her sisters, Alma Amato and Sophie Astrella.
Rita was born Aug. 2, 1922 in Worcester, daughter of the late Rose (Perri) and James Gentile. In 1948, she moved to South Grafton.
She worked for 26 years in the Grafton Public Schools system, retiring as manager of the North Grafton Elementary School Cafeteria in 1984.
Always a woman of faith she was a member of the Daughters of Isabella, St. Margaret’s Circle, and a parishioner at St. James Church in South Grafton.
In lieu of flowers, please honor Rita with a donation to the charity of your choice.
All are invited to the celebration of Rita’s Funeral Mass Monday, Dec. 21, at 10:00 a.m., at St. James Church, 89 Main St., South Grafton. Everyone attending the funeral mass are politely requested to go directly to the church. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in South Grafton. Immediately following internment, please join her family for refreshments at St. James Parish Hall. Arrangements are under the care of Roney Funeral Home in North Grafton.
To share a memory of Rita or leave a message of sympathy with her family, visit her online guestbook at www.RoneyFuneralHome.com.
