Rita (McQuaid) DeSimone

Rita P. (McQuaid) DeSimone, 83, a lifelong Worcester resident passed away peacefully after a period of declining health on, Sunday, April 24^th, 2022, surrounded by the family she loved.  

Rita was born on January 9, 1939,  in Worcester, Massachusetts.  She was the youngest of six daughters of Bernard and Josephine (Villa) McQuaid. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy and earned her associates degree from Becker Junior College. She worked for several companies in various roles,  including an office assistant for the Fallon Clinic before retirement. Rita married Joseph F. DeSimone and settled in the Lakeview neighborhood of Worcester raising their three sons together, with faith and devotion until his death in June of 2017.

Rita is survived by her three sons, Joseph DeSimone, Jr and his wife Victoria, John P. DeSimone and his fiancé Amy Norwood, James M. DeSimone, and his girlfriend Diane Massouh all of Worcester;  six grandchildren Christina, Julia, Adam, Mollee, Antonia, and Arianna; a great granddaughter, Jada Lynn; Many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. Five sisters, Dolores Broderick, Margaret McQuaid, Dorothy Haapakoski, Conjetta Smith, and Frances Campbell, all predeceased her.

She was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Our Lady of Loreto Parish  and was a devoted Catholic who guided others with her wisdom. Along with her husband, her family always came first.  She was the backbone of her family and remained devoted to her nearest and dearest, especially her beautiful grandchildren, who fondly called her “Nanny.”  She was a beautiful person who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life; spending time with family and friends, Sunday family dinners and holidays, the Golden years, Red Hats Society, and the Worcester Lodge 168, Sons of Italy.  Rita and Joe traveled extensively, Rita’s favorite destinations being Italy and Aruba. She and Joe  also enjoyed their summers in Kennebunk Maine.  Rita believed that faith, family, and friends were the most important things in life and she generously shared her love, time and resources with all who knew her.  Her passing leaves a hole in our hearts, but her loving and caring soul will not be forgotten.

A period of calling hours will be held Monday, May 2^nd from 9 am to 10:30 am in The MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, before proceeding, in procession, to Our Lady of Loreto Church, 37 Massasoit Rd, where her nephew, Reverend Michael Broderick will celebrate her funeral Mass at 11:00 am. Burial will follow in St John Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial remembrances may be made, in her name, to the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Way, Memphis. www.stjude.org/donate. Sent from my iPhone