- Date Of Birth: May 16, 1937
- Date Of Death: June 20, 2021
- State: Massachusetts
McDonald (Staropoli), Rita J. passed away on June 20, 2021 in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the age of 84 after courageously struggling for over 3 years with lung cancer. Her last days were spent under Hospice Care at her home with her husband ever-present and her son, daughter and other family members there to help.
Rita was born in East Boston, MA, the daughter of Italian immigrants, the late Giuseppina and Giuseppe Staropoli. She was predeceased by a brother Michelangelo (Mikey) and a sister Delia (Della). Siblings Anthony (Tony) and Jean are still living in East Boston. Rita is survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.
She leaves her husband of 51 years, Michael C. McDonald with whom she shared many adventures.
Rita also leaves her children Michael J. McDonald and Jill Stape. Michael and his wife Bridget and their children Michael. Oliver and Alexander live in Westford, MA. Jill and her husband Dominic and their children Mia, Talia, Olivia, Edward and Sergio reside in Albuquerque, N.M. Rita was so very proud of her 2 children and her 8 grandchildren and recognized the unique and special qualities of each.
On her journey, Rita was a devout Catholic.
She had a passion for things Italian; from cooking, to traveling, to tracing her Calabrese roots, to learning to read, write and speak the Italian language.
Rita’s journey took her to a career in Education of over 35 years as an elementary school teacher. She began teaching in Norwalk, Connecticut and soon became known as a teacher “par excellence”.
Rita lives on in all the lives she touched. She is always in our hearts but is now on a journey to a place, where we, her family members and friends, look ahead to meeting again.
