Rita M. Reale, 97, of Burlington, MA, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and cherished member of her community, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.

Born in Boston to Italian immigrants Joseph and Jennie Calabro, Rita was raised in the West End of Boston and later lived in West Roxbury. She loved living in the city.  It was during her time working at Sears in Boston that she met the love of her life, John Reale. They married April13, 1958 and settled in Burlington in 1961, where Rita dedicated herself to creating a loving and nurturing home for their children.

In addition to being a devoted mother, Rita was actively involved in her community. She volunteered at her children's school, assisting as a teacher's aide and helping in the cafeteria. Rita also generously gave her time to the Burlington Food Pantry, supporting those in need.  She was active at the Council on Aging.  She was a longtime parishioner of St. Margaret's Church.

In her mid-forties, Rita returned to work, joining Little Brown Publishing Company. She thrived in the camaraderie of her coworkers and worked with them for 20 fulfilling years before retiring. She continued the friendships having lunch with them monthly, which she thoroughly enjoyed.

While Rita may have appeared quiet at first, those who knew her best saw a woman with a quick wit, a warm smile, and a playful sense of humor. She was a strong, selfless person who would do anything for her family, and her love for them was evident in all she did. In her retirement, Rita had the joy of caring for her grandchildren, which allowed her to form deep, meaningful bonds with them.

Rita was a woman of perpetual motion, always tending to her home and cooking in the kitchen. She had a passion for learning, taking ceramics and knitting classes, and even finding a friend to take dance classes with when her husband was hesitant. She also enjoyed attending exercise classes, reading a good book, and quietly praying the rosary.

Rita and John shared a love for adventure and travel, taking numerous cruises and enjoying trips to Italy, France, Barbados, and the Bahamas in their later years. Yet, some of her fondest memories were made camping with her family in the early years, starting with a modest truck camper before upgrading to a more spacious trailer. Their travels took them to Wells, Maine, Salisbury, and Hampton Beach, where they made lasting memories as a family.

Rita's legacy is one of love, faith, and devotion to her family and friends. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Rita was the beloved wife of 67 years of John Reale.  She was the loving mother of Mary Knowles of Billerica, Daniel Reale & his wife Diane of Burlington, the late Joseph Reale and late John Reale.  She was the sister of the late Stephen Calabro and late Michaelina "Mickey" Scarpace. She was the proud grandmother of Coreen Knowles, Rebecca Knowles, Madilyn Knowles O'Shea & her husband Padraig, Steven Reale & his wife Erika, Joseph Reale & his wife Allison, Daniel Reale & his wife Leslie, and Anthony Reale.  She was blessed to become a great great grandmother to Keegan, Lyla, Cameron, Jullian, Kendall, Payton, Kennedy, and Bowen.  She was a special aunt to Michelle Maxson, Rita Scarpace, Joey Scarpace and Jocelyn Eisele and many other nieces and nephews.

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Margaret Church in St. Veronica Parish, 111 Winn Street, Burlington on Monday, January 27th at Noon.  Services will conclude with a burial at Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in Rita's name may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org , 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.  For online guestbook and video tribute see www.sulivanfuneralhome.net