Rita M. (Mello) Farland, 63, of New Bedford died April 10, 2016 peacefully at SE Massachusetts Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Edmund and Rita (Dubois) Mello, she lived in New Bedford all of her life.
She was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene.
Mrs. Farland was formerly employed as a day care teacher at Early Learning Child Care and later as a receptionist at the New Bedford Yacht Club.
She cherished her 3 sons, 7 grandchildren and her great-granddaughter.
Survivors include her 3 sons, Roland G. Farland, III and his wife Rhonda of Swansea, Dana S. Farland and and his wife Stephanie of Bluffton, SC and Christian A. Farland and his wife Elizabeth of New Bedford; 2 sisters, Darrah LaBrode of New Bedford and Hedi Audette of Swansea; 7 grandchildren, Dana C. Farland, Kylie M. Farland, Lillian S. Farland, Kenzi G. Farland, Jenna E. Farland, Emma R. Farland and Chase C. Farland; a great-granddaughter, Isabella E. Farland; and several nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Arleen Smith and Edmund Mello, Jr.
Her Funeral Service and Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, April 14th at 10 AM in the First Church of the Nazarene. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, April 13th from 4-8 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford.