Rita M. Puorro

Rita M. (Beckstrom) Puorro, age 83, passed away in her Franklin, Massachusetts home on Monday, December 3, 2018, surrounded by her loving family.  Born in Boston, Massachusetts on August 16, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Carl A. and Helen (Smith) Beckstrom.  She spent her early years in the Allston area of Boston before her family settled in Roslindale.  Rita was educated in the Boston School System, where she was a member of the Roslindale High School Class of 1953.

 

Rita met her soon to be husband, Richard F. Puorro, while attending a dance at Moseley’s on the Charles, after he first saw her at the Washington Spa in Roslindale.  After a whirlwind courtship of just 3 months, they eloped to Wolfeboro, New Hampshire and married each other in a private ceremony on December 16, 1952.  The young couple returned to Roslindale, where they made their home until they settled in Walpole, Massachusetts in 1973.  Rita spent many years as a homemaker, raising and caring for her young family.  However, as the older children grew up, Rita took a position with Almy’s Department Store where she originally worked in the Ladies Lingerie Department but ultimately became the Manager of the Girls Clothing Department.  After Almy’s closed it’s doors she took a position with Rochelle’s in Foxborough working as a department manager before taking the Infant and Toddler Department Manager’s position at Walmart in Walpole, a position she held until she retired.

 

In her spare time, Rita enjoyed needle work and crocheting,  watching old movies (especially Disney movies and Harry Potter), watching reruns of Star Trek,  tending to her plants, especially her orchids, reading, and completing crossword puzzles.  She was known for her wonderful baking skills, lovingly making Christmas Cookies every December box up and deliver to friends, family and extended family.  Most of all, Rita loved spending time with her family, including her beloved furry companion of 13 years, Rocky.

 

Beloved wife of Richard F. Puorro.

Loving mother of Richard F. Puorro, Jr of Wrentham, Joanne M and her husband Joseph DiRosario of Franklin, Susan C. and her husband Richard Schenker of Hopkinton, and James M and his wife Lynn Puorro of Wrentham. 

Cherished grandmother of Michael Puorro, Dana and his wife Lorena Giannotti, Richard F. Puorro, III, Joseph Puorro, Kaitlyn Puorro, Ryan Puorro, Christopher Schenker and the late Jared Giannotti.  Great grandmother of Owen Shanbar, Jamie Hawkins and Henry Hawkins.

Sister of Roy and his wife Barbara Beckstrom of Florida and the late Carl Beckstrom.

 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Rita’s Life Celebration on Saturday, December 8, 2018 from 10AM to 12PM, with a funeral service at 12PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home 48 Common Street Walpole. Interment in Saint Francis Cemetery - Walpole.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to VNA Hospice and Palliative Care 199 Rosewood Drive, Suite 180, Danvers, MA 01923-4539.