Published in the October 7, 2016 edition.
MELROSE — Rita A. (Lynch) DeCoste, 98, of Melrose, died at the Golden Living Center The Elmhurst on Sept. 30.
Rita was born Chelsea, raised in Melrose and was a graduate of St. Mary High School. Before having her children, Rita worked at Scully Signal in Melrose and R.H. White department store in Boston.
Rita was a lifelong Melrose resident and member of St. Mary Church in Melrose and St. Mary’s Ladies Sodality for many years.
She was an avid reader and loved to take care of her grandchildren. Rita enjoyed baking, music, ballroom dancing and playing piano.
She was the beloved wife of the late Robert DeCoste for 58 years. She was the loving mother of Robert G. DeCoste and his wife Linda of Billerica, Beverly F. McNaught and her husband Stephen of Stoneham, Deborah A. Gray and her husband Gardner of Billerica and Lynnette R. Alameddine of Saugus. She was the cherished grandmother of Jeannine Reardon, Jerelyn Newman, Jonathan Gray, Suzanne Thistle, Robert DeCoste, Joel Gray, Stephen McNaught Jr., Jocelyn Allan, Yvonne Alameddine and the late Ross Alameddine. She was the caring sister of the late Geraldine Gillcrist, Mary Mahoney, Eileen McCarthy, Flossie Smith, Ed Lynch and Francis Lynch. Also survived by 13 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours were held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 West Foster St., Melrose on Tuesday, Oct. 4, from 4 to 7 p.m. The funeral was from the Gately Funeral Home on Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 9 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary Church, Herbert Street, Melrose at 10:15 a.m
Burial in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Ross Alameddine Scholarship Fund, c/o Austin Preparatory School, External Affairs, 101 Willow St., Reading MA 01867.
To sign online condolence visit www.gatelyfh.com.
