Rita passed away at home with her family and devoted caregivers by her side.  She was born in San Jose ​to Alberto and Zaira Matteucci where she lived until moving to San Leandro in 1935.  She graduated from Castlemont High School in 1943.  She met her husband, Tony in 1939.  They became engaged in 1942 and married in 1944 in Colorado as he was going off to war.  They were married for 68 years. Rita, along with her husband, Tony were original members of St Felicitas Church where they volunteered at church festivals, pancake breakfast and Bingo nights.  Rita was active in the Women’s Club, Catholic Daughters, Pastoral Council and Choir.  She was also a lifetime member of T.O.P.S. 

​Rita ran a daycare from her home for nearly 30 years caring for many of the children who grew up in the Washington Manor area.  She also worked at the Coliseum for 10 years serving as a vendor. She loved to tell us stories of all the interesting people she met there.  One of her favorite memories was her trip to Italy with her son, Steven.  Rita loved visiting Disneyland but what she loved most was traveling with her husband, Tony.  They took many cruises together and traveled across the country with their trailer visiting all 48 states. She enjoyed camping with her family and took her last trip at age 90 to Casini Ranch to enjoy a family campout.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Tony; son, Steven; her parents; and brothers, Eugene and Joseph. She is survived by her children; Barbara, Janice, Tom (Cindy), Anthony (Joanne) and Joe (Roseanne); grandchildren, Zaira (Robert), Lisa (Tim), Lori (Mark), Tom (Michelle), Brian (Alexis), Miya, Natalie and Matthew; great grandchildren, Robert, Michael, Alivia, Alyson, Jillian, Ava, Joshua, Jacob, Jenna and Ellie and her great-great grandchildren, Robert John and Zaiea.  She will also be missed by her many nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Rita will be 4 pm to 8 pm on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at Grissom’s Chapel & Mortuary, 267 E. Lewelling Blvd., San Lorenzo. The vigil service begins at 6:30 pm.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at St. Felicitas Catholic Church, 1604 Manor Blvd., San Leandro.  Rita will be laid to rest at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery at 11 am on Monday, June 26, 2017.