Rita M. Rancatore

Waltham – Mrs. Rita M. (Cecchi) Rancatore, of Waltham, died Friday, June 19, 2009 at her home.Rita was born in South Boston, a daughter of the late Vittorio and Adele (Scappini) Cecchi and had lived in Waltham since 1956. Until her retirement she worked as an administrative assistant at the Massachusetts Department of Revenue in their estate bureau. She was a former member of the Regina Margherita Lodge No. 1402 in Waltham of the Order of the Sons of Italy in America. Rita had many gifts and talents and enjoyed dancing, traveling and visiting her extended family in Italy. Her greatest joy and comfort came from her love for her family and her faith in Jesus Christ.She leaves her husband of 53 years, Augustine V. 'Rocky' Rancatore; her children, James S. Rancatore and his wife, Brenda, of Billerica, Elaine M. Rancatore, M.D. of Miramar, Florida, Paul V. Rancatore and his wife, Kathy, of Vero Beach, Florida, Lisa A. Cerci and her husband, Keith, and Laura L. Rancatore and her husband, Jon Julien, all of Waltham; her grandchildren, Erica Rancatore, Adele, Emily and Sydney Julien and Andrei and Olivia Cerci; her brother, Arnold Cecchi of Hull and many nieces and nephews.Rita was also the step-daughter of the late Louis J. Morelli.Family and friends will honor and remember Rita's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Jude Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Entombment will follow in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge.Memorial donations may be made to Lahey Clinic Cancer Treatment Center, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805; Attn: Philanthropy.