Rita White

Rita (Pecorari) White June 6, 1922 to March 24, 2012. Rita grew up with two brothers and a sister on a big farm in Arlington, Massachusetts. She learned about hard work, living off the land and the value of faith from her parents. Like so many others of the Greatest Generation at that time she made sacrifices for her family and our country as World War II broke out. Rita went to work as a stitcher at the Hood Rubber Company in East Watertown to do her part, while there she met her future husband and the love of her life The Big Guy, Paul White. They married in 1945, and eventually settled in Watertown, Massachusetts in the early fifties. Rita had many lifelong passions and devotions which included: family & friends, cooking, religion, a love of learning and teaching and gardening. On becoming a mother in 1946 she acquired and pursued at least one more passion Nurturing. She accomplished this with her three loving children Paul Jr. and his wife Jennifer, Barbara White & Russell White. As her children grew, the family watched her devotion to them, gardening and her faith expand. In a loving atmosphere, she set a high standard for her family to work hard, learn every day and care about others while enjoying and finding humor in lifes journey. As a devoted Wife and Mother, Rita was honing her skills for the next chapter. In 1956 she started working at the Rosary Academy in Watertown. In the first years she did everything from ironing the Nuns Habits to driving a school bus and ended up as a teacher in the Nursery School. Known as Mrs. White she quickly gained the admiration and respect of the Catholic School staff and parents and most importantly the children. What Rita lacked in formal training, she more than made up in enthusiasm, energy, discipline and love for her kids. Fittingly, many of her students and their parents would remain close friends for the rest of her life and continued to visit our family after she retired 2003. The last few years of failing health were not kind as she struggled and suffered much more than she deserved. Her determination to cope with a debilitating illness was an inspiration to everyone. Without a doubt, there will be a special place for her in heaven for Rita with chirping birds in a beautiful garden and happy, laughing children all around. She will be missed. Her Funeral was held from the Nardone Funeral Home 373 Main St. Watertown on Tuesday March 27, 2012 followed by a funeral mass in St. Patrick Church. Visiting hours were held on Monday from 4 to 8 PM. Burial was in Newton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Ritas Memory to; Compassionate Care Hospice, 800 West Cummings Park, Suite 3400, Woburn, MA 01801.