Rita M. (O’Rorke) Leon, age 90, a longtime resident of South Natick, passed away on November 10, 2015. She had been the beloved wife of the late Silvano B. Leon. She was predeceased by her siblings Hugh O’Rorke, Constance Lewis, and Clifford O’Rorke.
Born in Newton, she was a daughter of the late Hugh and Mary (Cavanagh) O’Rorke. Rita was raised and educated in South Natick. She was employed as an office assistant at the District Court of Northern Norfolk and Saint Sebastian’s School in Needham prior to being a receptionist with Liberty Mutual in Weston until her retirement. She talked fondly of her experiences as a nurse’s aide during the Second World War.
Rita loved the village of South Natick and lived in many of the homes built by her husband, Silvano. She enjoyed walking through the village, where the streets were full of memories, and loved entertaining her many friends. Gifted with a lovely singing voice, she played the piano beautifully by ear. She was devoted to the choir at the former Sacred Heart Parish, where she had also been active with the Ladies’ Sodality. Observing and discussing politics was one of Rita’s favorite hobbies, and she was ever ready to join a cruise with friends, often to Bermuda. Loving and kind, she was foremost a wife and mother, and, as time passed, she embraced the role of “Nanny” with joy.
She is survived by her five children, Judge Richard J. Leon and his wife Christine of Chevy Chase, MD, Peter J. Leon of Jamestown, RI, Patricia A. Leon Finan and her husband Tom of Centerville, MA, Mary L. Franceschi and her husband Renny of Ann Arbor, MI, and Paul M. Leon and his wife Suzanne of Natick, MA; ten grandchildren, E. Thomas Finan, Erich M. Finan, Rachael E. Leon, Amelia L. Franceschi, Nicholas C. Leon, Matthew A. Leon, Samuel B. Leon, Olivia A. Leon, Julia O. Franceschi, and Christian P. Leon; and many nieces, nephews and their families.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Patrick’s Church, 44 East Central Street, Natick, on Monday, November 16th at 10:00AM. Burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery, South Natick.
Visiting hours will be in the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common on Sunday 2 – 5PM.
Donations may be made in Rita’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the DAV of Massachusetts, State House Room 546, Boston, MA 02133.