Rita M. Tavares, 78, passed away at the Boston Medical Center on June 5th, 2009. She was born in Boston on November 21st, 1930 to her parents Francis and Dorothy (Graves) Matthews. Rita was raised in Dorchester before moving to Jamaica Plain. She has been a resident of Medford for the past 40 years. Rita worked in the respiratory therapy department at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Medford for many years. She enjoyed Ballroom Dancing, Country Western Dancing and was an avid Bowler. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her children, James Tavares of Boston, Donald Tavares of Norwell, Frank Tavares of Woburn, Kathy Tavares of South Weymouth, Linda Lucia of Woburn and Susan Barnes of Medford. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Rita was predeceased by her husband Gabriel Tavares, by her daughter Lori Murphy and by her siblings Jean Anderson, Claire LaCass and Frank and Kenny Matthews. Relatives & friends are invited to attend her funeral from the Breslin Funeral Home, 610 Pleasant St., Malden on Tuesday June 9th at 8 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church, 600 Pleasant St., Malden at 9 AM. Services will conclude with interment in Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home on Monday June 8th from 4-8 PM.