Rhonda A. Rutkowski, 52, of Hopedale, died peacefully at home, with family at her side, Thursday July 27, 2017 at home following an illness.
Born July 12, 1965, in Waltham, the daughter of Ronald A. Rutkowski, Sr. of Franklin and the late Phyllis A. (Orifice) Rutkowski.
She was raised and educated in Framingham and was a member of the Framingham North High School Class of 1983. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Bridgewater State University in 1997 and subsequently worked as a special education teacher at McCarthy Elementary School in Framingham until 2016. While earning her degree, she provided much needed respite care for the families of children with special needs. She also worked at both Maplegate Country Club in Bellingham and Glen Ellen Country Club in Millis.
Rhonda loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Recently, she has enjoyed seeing friends, going out to dinner, watching her granddaughter’s, nieces’, and nephews’ various sporting events, and trips to Dollar Tree and Christmas Tree Shop. She spent a lot of her early, high school, and young adult years dancing, cheerleading, and being a cheerleading coach. She was a single mom who was very devoted to her son.
In addition to her father Rhonda is survived by her son, Justin Durant and his wife, Beth, of Franklin; a brother Ronald Rutkowski, Jr. and his wife, Jodi, of Franklin; a brother, Michael Rutkowski, and his wife, Andrea, of Hopedale; and a sister, Lisa Mucciarone, and her husband, Matt, of Franklin. She is also survived by two granddaughters, Riley and Harper; nieces Alyssa, Samantha, and Lane; and nephews Alfred, Michael, Austin, and Nathan.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral Tuesday August 1st, at 9:15 AM from the Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. followed by a funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, 1 Church Square Franklin at 10AM.
Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Calling hours are Monday from 4-8PM at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be sent to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215. Please write “Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research” on the check.
The Rutkowski family requests, that to honor Rhonda’s life, please wear the color Pink to her services.
Guestbook/directions www.oterifuneralhome.com
