Rita C. (Mello) Soper, age 89, of Abington, MA passed away on November 30, 2019 in Hingham, MA after a long and fulfilling life. She was born on November 30, 1930 in Bridgewater, MA to Manuel L. and Theresa (Silvia) Mello, the ninth out of 10 children.
Rita was an independent spirit and enjoyed a 16-year career at New England Telephone Company before marrying her late husband, Herbert A. Soper, Sr. She later found her vocation serving the elderly as a home health aide and hospice aide for Catholic Charities. She rounded out her career at Milton Hospital in the radiology and medical records departments until her retirement in 1996. She continued her vocation in retirement as a volunteer the Abington Senior Center’s for Meals on Wheels program and the Chaplain’s office at Brockton Hospital.
Rita lived in Bridgewater from the time of her birth until the time of her marriage, when she moved to Abington where she resided until shortly before her death. She was a graduate of Bridgewater High School, Class of 1948.
Rita leaves behind daughters Catherine (Steven) Pfister of Menasha, WI, and Paula Soper of Weymouth, MA, and her son Herbert A, Soper Jr. of Abington. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Caleb, Ethan, Jesse, and Aeva Pfister, her brother Richard Mello of Dennis, MA, and many in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Her funeral services will be held on Thursday December 5th at 8:15AM from the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58 at the rotary circle) Whitman, followed by a funeral mass at 9:00AM in the St. Bridget Church, Abington. Interment will be in the St. Patrick Cemetery, Rockland. Visitation will be on Wednesday December 4th from 6:00-8:00PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the South Shore Elder Services Special Needs Fund, 1515 Washington St , Braintree, MA 02184 (https://sselder.org/donations/special-needs-fund/) will be appreciated.