Linda M. Rilla, 69

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Linda M. Rilla, 69, of Pittsfield passed away from cancer on Sunday January 15, 2017, at home, surrounded by family.

Linda was born in Pittsfield on December 27, 1947, to the late Angelo J. Sorrentino and Georgette M. Mermet Sorrentino and was raised in Lee, Mass. She attended school in Lee, graduating from Lee High School in 1965.

Linda worked for many years in retail until meeting her husband in 1977 and served as treasurer of Richwell Mold & Tool Co. She also worked in banking, retiring from City Savings Bank/Legacy Bank in 2007. During retirement, Linda has been a volunteer for many local groups and agencies.

Linda loved horse racing, has rescued many dogs (including her current rescue Snickers), enjoyed playing pitch, playing bocce with friends, and reading.

Linda is survived by her best friend and husband of 38 years, Richard Rilla; her daughter Willow-Beth (Greg) Archambault of Ossian, Ind.; her sons Dirck Rilla (fiance Topher Prather) of Minneapolis, Minn., Michael Harper (fiance Donna Amuso) of Lanesborough, Mass., and Thomas Harper of Pittsfield; her sister Sally (Dan) Cornwell of Pittsfield; grandson Alex Archambault of West Lafayette, Ind.; granddaughter Jordan Archambault of Ossian, Ind.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Remembrances go to all of Linda's friends and caregivers over the past year, especially to the staff at the Berkshire Oncology Cancer Center, with a special remembrance to the girls on the 4th floor infusion center.

Funeral Notice: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, January 20, 2017, at 10 a.m. at St. Mark's Church, 400 West Street, Pittsfield, with the Rev. Geoffrey J. Deeker C.S.S. officiating. Inurnment will follow at St. Michael Archangel Columbarium at St. Joseph's Cemetery.

There are no calling hours. Anyone attending the funeral mass are asked to gather directly at the church. Omission of flowers is requested by the family but memorial donations may be made to HospiceCare in the Berkshires or Berkshire Humane Society in care of the Flynn & Dagnoli-Bencivenga Home for Funerals, 5 Elm Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.