Rita Patricia Todd

Rita Patricia (Hayes) Todd, age 87, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Riverbend of South Natick in Natick, Massachusetts, with her loving daughter by her side.  Born in Boston, Massachusetts on March 5, 1936, she was the daughter of the late John and Mary (Clayton) Hayes.  Rita was raised in Boston's Southie neighborhood, where she attended Saint Bridget's School, before graduating from Nazareth High School with the Class of 1954.  Following her graduation, Rita took a position with the Boston Edison.

Rita married her high school sweetheart, Vincent Thomas Todd, on October 10, 1959, in her home parish of Saint Bridget's in South Boston.  The couple made their home together in Braintree, Massachusetts, where Rita took on the role of a homemaker, raising and caring for her young family.  In addition to raising her family, Rita worked as a paraprofessional with special needs students.  As her children grew up, Rita took a position as a crossing guard, helping children get to and from school.  In the early 1980s, Rita took a position with the New England Telephone Company, working as a 411 operator until her retirement in the early 1990s.  While working as an operator, Rita often gave back to her community, volunteering her time with Rosie’s Place in Boston.  During her retirement years, Rita looked forward to spending her winters in Vero Beach, Florida, but returned home for the summer months to be closer to her family.  After making her home in Vero Beach, she found work with Dodgertown's security department, and quickly became active in her new community, regularly volunteering with the VNA Hospice House.

Throughout her life, Rita was an avid reader, and especially enjoyed the suspense of a mystery novel.  She was always on the hunt to find a new book, often reading from cover to cover in a day.  Rita enjoyed keeping her mind sharp, and in addition to reading, she loved completing crossword puzzles.  While she certainly enjoyed her quiet time, Rita was also known to host many social events.  After making her home at the Village Green in Vero Beach, Rita quickly joined her neighbors for parties, dinners, shows, or a more relaxed afternoon of charcuterie and wine around the pool.

Beloved wife of the late Vincent Thomas Todd.

Loving mother of Vincent Thomas Todd, Jr. and his wife, Kelly, of Natick, Christopher Sean Todd and his wife, Cindi, of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Susanne Rita Cawley and her husband, Stephen, of Walpole.

Cherished grandmother of Kristen, Joseph, Sean, Clayton, Stephen, Chloe, Katie, Richard, Dylan, and the late Zachary; and great grandmother of Austin, Camryn, John, Otis, and Vincent.

Sister of John Hayes of Naples, Florida, Susan Deschambault of Portland, Maine, Kathleen Hayes of Sebastian, Florida, Joseph Hayes of North Carolina, the late Nancy Davis, the late James Hayes, and the late Mary Forzese.

Devoted companion of the late Joseph Morris.

Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Rita's Life Celebration on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, from 4 to 7 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

All are invited to gather in the funeral home on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at 9:30 AM, prior to Rita's Mass of Christian Burial that will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole at 10:30 AM.  Interment will take place privately at Blue Hill Cemetery in Braintree.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Rita's name may be made to The Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452 or at www.alz.org