Rita Ouellette Obituary

Rita S. (Ritacco) Ouellette, 85, of Worcester, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 6, 2025 at Knollwood Nursing Center after a brief illness.
She leaves her husband of 63 years, Roger H. Ouellette, of Worcester; their daughter, Stephanie A. Ouellette, and granddaughters Kate and Emily Jajliardo, of Auburn, and several nieces and nephews. Rita was predeceased by her sister Joanne R. Doherty and brother Richard P. Ritacco.
Rita was born in Worcester, daughter of the late Augustine J. and Beatrice M. (DiTora) Ritacco. She was a lifelong resident of Worcester, and a 1958 Commerce High School graduate. Upon high school graduation, she worked as a bookkeeper at Bell Shops in downtown Worcester, and after several years as an at home mother and school crossing guard, returned to work in shipping/receiving at clothing stores in the Auburn Mall until she retired to care for her elderly Mother.
Rita was an active parishioner of North American Martyrs Church, and for many years, a member of their Women's Club. She enjoyed volunteering and running the election day bake sales at Malvern Road School, and for a time taught CCD and sang in the church choir. Growing up, Rita was quite a tomboy, but she was also a great supporter of the arts. She enjoyed live theater, and attended almost every single concert, dance recital, and musical in which her granddaughters performed. In fact, almost all of her hobbies and activities involved spending time with her family. She was a devoted Daughter, Wife, Mother, Sister, Cousin, Auntie, and Nana. She was outgoing and vibrant, strong-willed, sometimes very opinionated, and a pretty shrewd judge of character. She loved the comfort and warmth of her home, and hosted many holidays, family gatherings and celebrations throughout the years, where her laughter and wicked sense of humor made them all so much fun!
Rita was known among family and friends for her delicious Italian meals, amazing Italian cookies, and contest-winning apple pie. She was very proud of her Italian heritage, and a huge Perry Como fan for her entire life. In more recent years, as her activities became limited due to mobility and health issues, she became a regular watcher of the Hallmark Channel and TV game shows. For 70 years (63 of them married), she and Roger weathered life's ups and downs together, and during her final stay at Knollwood, when Roger wasn't wheeling her through the halls to say hello to people and look at the fish, they could be found sitting side by side in her room, watching the game shows.
Rita had a special place in her heart for children's causes, so in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38501 (or online via www.stjude.org/donate), and/or to Shriners Hospitals for Children: mail to Shriners Children's, Attn: Shriners Children's, P.O. Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394 (or online via https://lovetotherescue.org/how-you-can-help/ways-to-give).
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Rita's family from 4 – 7 PM on Friday, July 11, 2025 at the BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central Street, Auburn. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM on Saturday July 12th at North American Martyrs Church, 8 Wyoma Drive, Auburn, with burial to follow at St. John's Cemetery, Worcester.