Rita M. Turo

Rita M. (Almonte) Turo, 93, of Shrewsbury, passed away on Monday, August 7, 2023, at Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital.  She was predeceased by her husband of nearly fifty-one years, Michael A. “Reddy” Turo, he died in February 2005.

Rita is survived by her daughters, Ann Marie Turo and her husband Arthur Jordan of Boston, and Michelle M. Mirabito and her husband Thomas of Shrewsbury; two grandchildren, Marissa Mirabito and Dylan Thomas Mirabito; many nieces and nephews.  Rita was predeceased by her seven siblings, Julia Natola, Beatrice Wilczynski, John, Patsy, Orlando, Albert, and Joseph Almonte.  She was born in Worcester, daughter of the late Angelo and Rosaria (Zanotti) Almonte.  She graduated from Commerce High School in 1948 and attended New England School of Accounting.

Rita retired from UMass Medical in 1990 after fourteen years working as a postal clerk in the hospital and school.  Before starting her family, she worked as a clerk for Traveler’s Insurance from 1948 until 1958.  

Rita had been a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.  She was active at the Shrewsbury Senior Center, The Frohsinn Club, and Square Dancing with the Happy Homesteaders.  She would winter in Florida where she was a member of the Italian Club in Clearwater.  She enjoyed reading, cooking, loved to use her I-Pad, and going out with her family to try different restaurants.  She enjoyed her new home at Benchmark in Shrewsbury where she spent many hours sunning herself in the courtyard, while visiting with friends.

Rita had a great talent for knitting and crocheting, she made many blankets, shawls, and clothing for friends and family.  She belonged to the Busy Hands Group of knitters, the Greater Boston Knitting Guild, and was part of the Knitting Ministry as Saint Cecelia Church in Boston. 

She loved being with her daughters and grandchildren and had a loving bond with family pets, Bella and Olive.

Calling Hours will be on Friday morning, August 11, from 9 a.m. until her Funeral Service begins at 11 a.m. in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester.  Interment will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton.

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