Margherita "Rita" Gado

Margherita "Rita" Gado Life long resident of Menlo Park and Atherton, born December 2, 1917, passed away October 3, 2007 at the age of 89. Rita is preceded in death by her parents Guadenzio and Guilia Ardizzoia; husband, Amedeo Gado; and sister and brother-in-law, Catherine and Robert Benham. Beloved 'Zia,' is survived by nephew, Michael (Brigid) Benham; nieces, Julie Benham, Denise (Francis) Fennie and Gina (Derek) Kidder; and grand nephew and nieces, Clifford, Keith, Alyse and Mallory Benham, Lacie and Mitchell Watson, Zachary, Margaret and Regina Fennie, and Madeline, Katelyn and Robert Kidder, as well as her dear cousins and many friends. Rita was born and raised in Menlo Park. She attended St. Joseph's Parochial School and Sequoia High School. She married Amedeo Gado in 1938 and they shared 65 years together. In 1943 they moved to Atherton where she resided until her death. Rita worked as a farmerette, merchant, Pacific Bell telephone operator and property manager. She was an Atherton Lion's Club three times president, and member for over 40 years. She was a long time member of the Menlo Park Historical Association. She was also an active member of the Italian Catholic Federation and Atherton Tree Committee. Rita was a parishioner of Nativity Church for over 80 years. Menlo Park has lost one of its great historians and friends. Our family will dearly miss our beloved Zia. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, October 9, at the Church of the Nativity, 210 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Menlo Park. Donations to the Lions Eye Foundation and Nativity Capital Campaign designated Tree Planting, 210 Oak Grove Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025.