Obituary: Rita Schiavo, 85, of Branford

Information via W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home

It is with great love and sadness that we announce the passing of Rita Schiavo of Branford, adored wife of 61 years of Mario Schiavo.

Rita was born in San Giorgio di Pesaro, Italy, on July 13, 1931, a daughter of Virgilio and Assunta Roberti, and moved to America in 1956. Rita was a master seamstress, doing everything from simple repairs to creating wedding dresses, and a talented cook, preparing exquisite food made with love for her family.

Rita also loved to entertain, playing cards and cracking jokes with her friends. Among her many hobbies, Rita loved keeping a garden full of flowers, bird watching, crafting, going to church every Saturday and watching Mass every day. Throughout her life, Rita delighted in traveling back to San Giorgio to spend summers visiting her many friends and family. Above all things, nothing brought Rita more joy than spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren Natashia Thompson (James), Ethan Boileau and Alayna Boileau, all of Branford. Besides her husband and her grandchildren, Rita is survived by her cherished daughters, Manola Schiavo (Paul) and Rossana Tinari (Dean), both of Branford, her beloved sister Anna Moretti of Hamden, her sister in law Maria Roberti of Branford, her nephews Michael Moretti, Tino (Kim) Roberti, Robert and Joseph Roberti and niece Maureen Lear.

Rita was predeceased by her brothers, Henrico and Valentino Roberti, her baby sister, Maria Roberti and her brother in law, Valerio Moretti.Visiting hours will be Monday May 8th from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at the W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday morning at 10:00 in St. Elizabeth Church, Branford. Burial will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery, Branford. Memorial donations may be sent to the National Audubon Society, @audubon.org/donate.