Margaret R. (Wood) Rita Daniels

Margaret R. Daniels (Wood), fondly known as "Rita" to her family and friends, died peacefully on May 10, 2017. She was 99 years of age and was a long time resident of Stoneham and Sarasota FL.

Rita was born on July 11, 1917 in Malden, MA. She was the dear daughter of the late Joseph E. and Anna V. (Boyle) Wood. Rita was raised in Medford, MA and graduated from Medford High School. She was a member of the school's swim team.

Rita married Walter W. Daniels (of Cambridge) and the couple moved to Stoneham in 1951 where they raised their four sons: Walter Jr., Lawrence, Mark, and Robert. Rita was a devoted wife, mother, and wonderful grandmother. She cherished the times she spent with her grandchildren and was very proud of all of their accomplishments.

Rita was an active communicant of St. Patrick's Church for many years. In the 1960's Rita was a monitor for the boy's choir and often volunteered at St. Patrick's Library.

During the Vietnam War, Rita worked for Sanders Associates in Bedford, MA, where she assembled Harnesses for the AN/MPQ-49 Forward Area Alerting Radar (FAAR). Through her work ethic she advanced into an assembly line supervisor for the company. She was a member of the company bowling league where she made many life-long friends. Rita retired after 10 years of dedicated service to Sanders.

Following her husbands death, Rita moved to Sarasota, Florida to enjoy Siesta Key beach where she actively continued her swimming. Frequent visits from her grandchildren were always a highlight. As her health declined she moved back to Massachusetts permanently to be around those she loved.

Rita saw and lived through some of the most notable events in American history.

Rita was the loving wife of the late Walter W. Daniels. Beloved mother of Walter W. Daniels, Jr. and his wife Janet (Williams), Lawrence E. Daniels, Mark Daniels and his wife Janet (O'Halloran), and Robert J. Daniels and his wife Kathleen (Moran). Dearest "Nana Rita" of Amy, Christine, Ryan, Siobhan, Maura, Christopher, Alexandra, Natalie, and the late Andrew Daniels, and to her Great-Grandchildren; Riley, Emily, Liam, Ryan, Megan, Mila, and Cullen. Sister of the late J. Eugene and Robert S. Wood. Sister-in-law of Janet Wood. Aunt and godmother to Joanne Wood-Ellison.

A Funeral Mass Celebrating Rita's Eternal Life will be held at St. Patrick's Church, 71 Central Street, Stoneham, on Saturday, May 27th at 10am.

Friends and family are cordially invited to gather and share memories at the Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main St. (RT 28) Stoneham, prior to the mass from 8:30-9:30am. Interment will be in Lindenwood Cemetery, Stoneham.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in memory of Rita to St. Patrick Church, 71 Central St. Stoneham, MA 02180.

For more information, www.facebook.com/Barile/FamilyFuneralHome.