Rita V. Trifone, 99
SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass. — Rita V. (Mancuso) Trifone, 99, of Bruce Lane, passed away into the arms of the Lord on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in the Southbridge Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, after a brief illness.
Her husband of 34 years, Eustachio J. "Tiny" Trifone, died in 1972. She leaves her four sons, Nicola J. Trifone and his longtime companion Sylvia Gamache of Dudley, Anthony M. Trifone and his wife Barbara of Dudley, Leonard A. Trifone of Southbridge and Joseph E. Trifone and his wife Janice of Dayville, Ct.; her two daughters, Rita R. Sporbert of North Adams and Victoria G. Richards and her husband Paul, with whom Rita lived; her sister, Carmella Brazeau of Williamstown; her brother, Dominic Peter Mancuso of Pittsfield; nine grandchildren, Rico Trifone, Ronda Trifone, Alyssa "Laini" Sporbert, Concetta Trifone, Britt Trifone, Nicole Trifone, Carissa Trifone, Amanda Richards and Andrew Richards; three great-grandchildren, Rico Trifone, Jr., Ryan Trifone and Zoe Trifone; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by a brother, Albert Mancuso; and six sisters, Mary Piccolo, Margaret Brule, Catherine Lipa, Frances Schmidt, Dorothy Beaupre and JoAnne Saltamartini.
She was born on March 3, 1918, in North Adams, Massachusetts, the daughter of Guiseppe and Nicolina (Filicetti) Mancuso. Rita worked for Sprague Electric in North Adams before moving to Southbridge to raise her children and grandchildren. She also worked for her father, delivering milk and working at the family store in North Adams.
Rita was a devout Catholic who was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Church and a member of the Children of Mary Sodality growing up in North Adams. She was a parishioner of St. Mary's Parish and later St. John Paul II Parish in Southbridge and a member of the Parish's St. Rita Society for over 75 years. She loved to attend mass and when she was unable to attend, she watched multiple masses daily on TV, always ready to talk to those about religion and her faith. She loved to work on crossword puzzles and word searches.
The family would like to thank both Elba Garcia and June Trifone for the personal care and kindness they gave to Rita.
Funeral notice: Her funeral will be held on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, from the Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge, with a Mass at 11 a.m. in St. Mary's Church of the St. John Paul II Parish, 263 Hamilton St., Southbridge. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Southbridge.
Calling hours in the funeral home will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, from 4 to 7 p.m.. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John Paul II Parish, 279 Hamilton St., Southbridge, MA 01550 or to Catholic TV, P.O. Box 9196, Watertown, MA 02471.