M. Rita Bernard DePasquale

M. Rita (Festa) Bernard DePasquale, 95, of Worcester, passed away on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at the Dodge Park Rest Home, with her family by her side. Her husband, George DePasquale, predeceased her in 2011. Her first husband and father of her children, Richard W. Bernard, predeceased her in 1991. She was also predeceased by a granddaughter, Kristyn Boudreau.

Rita is survived by three children, Carol Desmarais and her husband Richard of Worcester, Barbara Boudreau and her husband Jerald of Worcester and Florida, and Richard Bernard and his wife Susan of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; two step-sons, George and Mauro DePasquale; four grandchildren, Nicole, Michael, Jean and Scott; nine great grandchildren, Adrianna, Aiden, Ashton, Ava, Dylan, Benjamin, Desiree, Alex and Gabriel; and many nieces and nephews. Her brother, Joseph Festa, predeceased her. Rita was born in Worcester, daughter of the late Anthony and Louise (Young) Festa. She graduated from David Hale Fanning High School and has lived here all her life.

Rita worked as a quality control inspector for State Mutual for over twenty years, retiring from Hanover Insurance Company in 1991. She was a member of Our Lady of Loreto Church where she was a hospitality minister and volunteered to work at many of their festivals. She enjoyed crafting, knitting, crocheting, playing cards, going to the casino and traveling.

There are no calling hours.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, October 10, at 10 am at Our Lady of Loreto Church, 33 Massasoit Road, Worcester. Interment will follow at Saint John’s Cemetery, Worcester.

The family has entrusted Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel.