Rita M. O'Melia

Rita M. O'Melia, age 85, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at her Stoneham home that she loved so much.

Born and raised in Stoneham, Rita was the daughter of the late Joseph Gallella and Ann (Hastings) Gallella. Rita was the beloved wife of the late John O'Melia. She was the devoted mother of Michael O'Melia and his wife Noreen, Joseph O'Melia and his wife Laura and John W. O'Melia. Rita was the cherished Nuna of Colleen, Julie, Mary-Rose, Meredeth, and John (JJ) O'Melia.

Rita was a warm and caring daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She will be sadly missed by so many and forever in our hearts.

Many of you will remember Rita from her days working at Santoro's, where she learned to perfect her famous meatballs. In her later life, she volunteered at the Stoneham Senior Center; it served her servant's heart. She loved the Hallmark Channel, and when you visited her, you got hooked too and had to stay until the end of the movie.

In her life, Rita never sent an email nor a text; she didn't have a Facebook page and didn't even drive, and yet she was arguably Stoneham's "richest woman in town," having more friends than all of us combined. She was the strongest woman we know; she had to be raising her three boys. Her thoughtfulness and generosity were unmatched.

A Funeral Mass Celebrating Rita's Eternal life will be held on Friday, April 30th at 10am in St. Patrick Church, 71 Central St. Stoneham. Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories with Rita's Family prior to the Mass from 8:30 – 9:30am in the Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main St. (RT 28) STONEHAM. Parking attendants and elevator are available.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Rita with donations in her name to the Stoneham Senior Center, 136 Elm Street, Stoneham, MA 02180.

For more information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome