Published in the April 14, 2017 edition
MALDEN — Mrs. Rita H. (Murphy) Smith, 94, a longtime resident of Malden, passed away peacefully at Bear Hill Nursing Center in Wakefield on Sunday, April 9, 2017.
Rita was born on August 11, 1922, one of nine children of the late Michael J. and Agnes (Howard) Murphy. Born and raised in Charlestown, Rita was married to J. Franklin Smith in 1940 and they settled in Malden to raise a family of three children.
A devoted homemaker, mother and wife, Rita also worked while raising her family. In her younger years, she worked on the assembly line at United Car Fastener and subsequently in the produce section at First National Grocery Store in Melrose. She later worked as an OR technician at Malden Hospital.
Rita was always close to her family and particularly her sisters, with whom she traveled over many years. She enjoyed trips to Europe, California, Hawaii, Alaska, and by train or car throughout North America with her husband Frank. In her free time, Rita always loved to dance. She enjoyed square dancing in Winchester, or line dancing with the Medford Council on Aging every week for many years.
Rita will be most remembered for her love of socializing. True to her Irish heritage, Rita loved to talk, share stories of her family, and had a great sense of humor. Rita would talk to anyone and everyone, and was especially happy and proud to tell stories of her grandchildren. She made many friends over the years, and was always happy to share a laugh or a story with them. Rita will missed, but always lovingly remembered.
Rita was the beloved wife of the late J. Franklin “Frank” Smith with whom she shared 39 years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Wayne Smith and his wife Elizabeth of North Billerica, Corinne Cattoggio and her husband Frank of Medford, and Christine Burke and her husband Steve of Malden. She was predeceased by eight siblings. She was the cherished grandmother of Jennifer Tate, Jason Smith, Justine Surabian, Scott Cattoggio, Heather Beatty and Adam Burke, and she is also survived by six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather for visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose, on Monday, April 17 from 4-8 p.m., and again on Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. before leaving in procession to the Immaculate Conception Church, 600 Pleasant St., Malden, for her funeral Mass which will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Gifts in memory of Rita may be made to the American Heart Association, 300 5th Ave., Ste. 6, Waltham MA 02451. To leave an online tribute or obtain directions please visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
