Adrianna "Adri" Ritacco

On Holy Thursday, April 1^st, 2021, Angels led Adrianna to heavens door.  Her Grammy and Papa, John, and Gilda Ritacco who both predeceased her were there to hold her hand. 

Adrianna’s 38-year journey began in Kodiak, Alaska.  In the summer of her second birthday, she and her mother Lynda Ritacco moved to Worcester.  They all lived in Lynda’s family home and neighborhood for her lifetime.

She attended the Mill Swan School in Worcester, graduated from the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA and attended BAMSI Habilitation Program in Worcester.   Adri faced many challenges along her life’s path and each challenge was met with perseverance and courage.  In spite of the many obstacles,  Adrianna enjoyed her life with the same intensity; from sitting on the deck, listening to the birds, singing songs or reading books with her mom or papa, each was a full enjoyable experience. 

Adri has had many friends throughout her lifetime; from school classmates and prom dates, and many caregivers, Gina Downing and Michelle Conlon, as well as Nelly Muchai, a longtime family friend and devoted caregiver;  Her best friends of many years, Barbara Bulkley Guieliots and Jennifer Warnasch.

Through the years there were many excursions shared with her mother, Grammy, Joan (her Labrador retriever) and her special friends.  Concerts, plays, museums, bowling, picnics, farms, zoos, festivals, shopping, celebrations, walks in the neighborhood and more.  Besides going out and about, Adri most enjoyed music and “Girl Talk”. She was always consumed with the love of music of all kinds. It was through music that her spirit was lifted.    With her best friends she shared a strong bond of friendships, always adding to the conversation or sing along in her own special way completely understood by those who loved her.

Adri was a special person with a special gift of Love to all who were willing to open their heart to know her.  Those persons who were willing to receive and return her love are truly blessed forever.  Adri was special, there was no one else like her.  The World is a better place just because she was here.  Adri is a star in the sky shining brightly.

Adri is survived by her mother, Lynda Ritacco, and her Aunt Rose Marie Troio, Extended family and many friends.

A period of calling hours will be held Thursday, April 8, 2021 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St, before departing in procession to St Anne’s Church, 130 Boston Turnpike Rd Shrewsbury, where her Celebration of Christian burial Mass will be held at 11:00 am.   Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton.   The Family request that flowers be omitted, and memorial remembrances be made to either St Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St Jude Way, Memphis, Tenn, or a charity of your choice in Adrianna’s memory.