Rita A. Marcoux

CUMBERLAND
Rita Marcoux, 90, of Cumberland passed away on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at home surrounded by loving family and friends. She was the wife of David A. Marcoux and they had been married for the past 63 years.
Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Esterino and Anna (Melillo) Macchiarelli. She resided in Cumberland for most of her life. She is survived by her husband, Dave, her daughter, Maryann Marcoux and her partner Pamela Hebert of Harvard, MA, her son-in-law Mark Miller of Holliston, MA, and grandchildren Daniel Miller, Chris Miller, Tracey Miller, Allison Miller, Kendall Hebert, and Zachary Hebert. She is predeceased by her daughter Maryellen (Marcoux) Miller.
Rita was a graduate of Rhode Island College majoring in finance. She was employed as a brokerage agent for Kidder-Peabody, working in Downtown Providence. Rita would wait on Dave at the counter when he visited there for his job at Devonshire Financial Services. They began to have lunches together as friends. This developed into a loving friendship and relationship. Rita and Dave married in 1960 with a wedding held at the Cathedral in Providence.
Rita and Dave began their married life living in Pawtucket and eventually chose a lot of land in Cumberland where Dave hand-built the house himself with help from his good friend, Edward Rodi. They moved into their new home in 1962, the same year their first child was born. Rita and Dave continued to reside together in this same home all these years. Rita was so fortunate to marry her best friend and the love of her life. The love they shared with each other and their family was inspiring to all.
Rita participated in many activities over her lifetime and was always so giving with her time. In her younger years, she played the accordion in a small band and played basketball which wasn't common for women at the time. She was very involved in her children's schools and, with Dave, started the first Parents Club at Mercymount Country Day school with Sr. Joan Bailey. She was an honorary participant in the Walk Against Breast Cancer held in Holliston, MA, held for 15 years in memory of her late daughter, Maryellen, benefiting Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. More recently, she was a member of the Better Breathers Club Harmonica Chorus.
Rita was a communicant of the Historic St. Joseph Church. She enjoyed traveling the world with Dave in their retirement years, including many cruises, trips to Europe, Greece, Alaska, to name a few. She enjoyed cooking and reading cookbooks as a hobby. She made everyone who visited stay for a meal or take something home, and saying "no" was not an option. Her traditional Christmas Eve dinners of the 7-fishes was hand-prepared and shared with many family and friends over the years.
Rita cherished her friendship with her "buddies" - Claire, Janet, and Peg. Together, they had so much fun collecting jewelry donations for the jewelry booth at St. Joseph's church bazaar. Their single booth relocated to an entire jewelry room over the years and became quite well known across the state.
Rita was supported by many who became her friends. Thanks to Stacey, Stephanie, Dati, and Amy for their loving care and compassion, and to close family and neighbors who offered support.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to Rita's Life Celebration to be held with visitation on Wednesday from 9 AM to 10:30 AM in the J. J. Duffy Funeral Home, 757 Mendon Road, Rt. 122, Cumberland. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at the Historic St. Joseph Church, Mendon Road, Cumberland at 11:30 AM. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the American Heart Association or the Better Breathers Club at Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI.
ONLINE MEMORIAL: jjduffyfuneralhome.com