Rita Angelica Paolino

Rita Angelica (Orio) Paolino

Rita is survived by her husband Armando P. Paolino Jr, the love of her life, for 66 years! She also leaves her three beloved children: Armando (Anne) Paolino III, Middlebury, CT, Paul (Cindy) Paolino, Waterbury, CT, and Christine Paolino (Stephen) Bailey, Mokena, IL; her brother-in-law Robert Paolino, Southington, CT, and her sister-in-law Theresa Paolino, Waterbury, CT; grandchildren: Armando Paolino IV, Charleston, SC, Gabriella Paolino, San Diego, CA, Nicolas Bailey, Mokena, IL; special extended family in her life Jennifer and Thor III Solberg and their sons, Thor IV and Walker, Branchberg, NJ; nieces and nephews William (Lisa) Accousti Jr., Waterbury, CT, Audra Paolino (John) Dyckman of Prospect, CT, David Paolino Jr., Torrington, CT, John (Sumaia) Paolino Bristol, CT, Jerad (Tanya) Paolino, Southington, CT as well as numerous grand nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family and many friends and acquaintances from Waterbury, CT and The Villages, FL. Special note are her very sweet and dedicated friends and neighbors Collette Goulet, Denis Gauthier, and Mike Hack of The Villages. She was pre-deceased by her sister and brother-in-law Marie Orio (William) Accousti, her sister-in-law Carolee (Robert) Paolino, and her brother-in-law David (Theresa) Paolino.

Rita had just celebrated her 91 st Birthday with her husband, family, and Villages' friends. She was born in New Haven, CT to Daniel "Danny" Secondo Orio and Christine "Trixie" Orio (Coppola) September 26 th, 1934. She attended St. Anthony's School in New Haven. The Orio family then moved to Waterbury where she attended Sacred Heart Grammar and High Schools. She grew up on East Main Street in the parish neighborhood surrounding the school and the church.

She loved sharing the story of her first job at Woolworth's Cafeteria lunch counter, and hot dog stand. She met her life-long love Armand, they married, started their family and raised them rooted in Waterbury's then rural Reidville/Eastwood section. She was employed at Two Guys department store as a cashier and later at Andersen Little and Gentlemen's Warehouse, as a sales associate. She finally retired from JC Penny, after several years of working in Brass Mill Center. She was a lifelong member of the Retail Clerks International Union, Local 919.

Rita lived a life devoted to family and her three children "Armie", "Paulie", and "Chrissy" and their families. She captured every moment, special or just another day, on film, and was prodigious with photo albums recording the grand, joyous, and everyday moments of life for her family. Later she embraced digital technology and continued up through her final days, with her iPad. She always stayed in touch daily with her sister and was always excited to hear from nephew Billy and his wife Lisa about their daughters and their lives. She was affectionately known as "Mom" to many friends of her children and their families over many decades. Her door was always open and always with a listening ear. She kept track of them all on Facebook daily. Grandmothers were special people in her world, and she was delighted to become one. "Nana" would do anything with or for her grandchildren; movie collections, dolls, games, outfits, puzzles, and visits to Disney just to name a few.

Rita was often thought to be quiet but was a fighter in her own way. She was a 31-year survivor of cancer having battled Lymphoma. She lived life embracing new opportunities and keeping track of family and friends, leaving no one behind on her life path. She was known for showing up unexpectedly to show her gratitude with a home baked cherry-nut bundt cake for those who needed a lift or had helped her solve a problem or to recognize a kindness to someone.

Family dinners, with cousins and friends for holidays, birthdays, "coffee and" or just because it was a Thursday were a regular occurrence. Sunday morning dinner preparation would always bring the aroma of freshly cooked pork ribs, sausage, meatballs and of course the Sauce. She would have the Polka hour on the radio in the background. You never knew who would show-up on Sunday morning. A loaf of Italian bread was close by on the counter for whoever popped in "to test" the sauce and there was always enough for unexpected guests.

She was a member of the Daughters of Italy and always loyal to Lena Rinaldi a mentor and neighbor who befriended her in childhood. She was a member of the Ladies Guild of SS Peter & Paul Church, was an assistant Den mother with the Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. She was an active member of the then East Farms School PTA and a captain of the Card Party committee. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Anthony's Church in New Haven. She was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church, later SS Peter and Paul Church, and then St. Leo the Great Mission and Church. She was married at our Lady of Lourdes Church in Waterbury.

In 2003, their children on firm footing in their own lives, she and her husband began a new adventure deciding to build a new home in a new planned community, The Villages in Florida. They immersed themselves into the new community and new friends and welcomed visits from family and friends from "up north." She was a member of several clubs at The Villages including the Connecticut Club, the Italian Club, and the Woodbury Bocci League

The family wishes to thank the ICU staff at Ocala Regional Medical Center and Gentiva Hospice for their care and comfort during her final weeks. The family suggests donations in her memory be made to the American Cancer Society. Funeral arrangements will be held later at the convenience of the family. Arrangements entrusted with BALDWIN BROTHERS Funeral & Cremation Society-Spanish Springs, 352-430-1449. Sentiments are encouraged at www.baldwincremation.com.