Rita Marie Miola

Rita Marie Miola passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at the age of 79, surrounded by her loving family and dearest friend. 

Born in East Boston on July 23, 1943, she is the beloved daughter of Rita Marie (Doherty) Stepankowski.  Rita grew up in East Boston and attended Fitton High School.  She enjoyed spending time with friends and frequently visited Revere Beach where she could enjoy the sea, and visit Bianchi’s and Kelly’s Roast Beef.  She also loved to dance, and attended dances every weekend with her friends.   After graduation, she attended and graduated from Katharine Gibbs School. 

For many years, she worked at the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School in Wakefield, Massachusetts as a special education paraprofessional. She made a positive impact on countless individuals over the years,  Rita then went on to work as an administrative assistant in the same school system, and was proud to retire from Northeast.  She formed lasting bonds with her colleagues and had a deep love for the school.

A cherished and devoted mother, she raised her twin daughters in Reading, Massachusetts.  She coached their softball teams, chaperoned school field trips,  attended all high school softball and field-hockey games, and was an active volunteer for Rainbow. Rita loved to cook and spend summers at White Horse Beach in Plymouth, Massachusetts with her daughters.  Later, she enjoyed visiting Cape Cod for one week each summer with her twin girls and sons-in-law.  

Rita was an avid and passionate traveler.  She traveled to Ireland, France, Italy, Canada, Novia Scotia, and various Caribbean destinations.   Rita was also a diehard Red Sox and Patriots fan even when they were losing.

She was an active member of St. Athanasius Church in Reading.  She took great pride in being the first female usher.  Rita volunteered her time at the Pine Street Inn, Rosie’s Place, donating to the Mission of Deeds, St. Jude’s, and the Home for Little Wanderers. She also prepared and delivered meals to the elderly who were homebound.

In addition to her many close and lifelong friends who she considered family, she leaves behind her daughters Annemarie (Miola) Cail of Nashua, NH, and Denise (Miola) Vettese of Dracut, MA; her sons-in-law Christopher Cail and Michael Vettese; her sister Ann Brunetti of Yarmouth, MA; her nephews Michael, Alfred and Anthony Brunetti; and her great grand nephews Avery, Cody, and Mason. Rita will be deeply missed by her loving family and many close and dear friends.

For anyone who would like to make a donation in her memory, please consider supporting St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.  Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  Funeral from the Cota Funeral Home, 335 Park St. (Corner of Park St. and Rt. 28 at the Reading Line) on Thursday, October 27, 2022, at 9:30 am followed by a funeral mass celebrating her life at St. Athanasius Church, 300 Haverhill St., Reading at 10:30 am.  

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