Obituary of Rita Marie Tauro

Rita Marie (Braga) Tauro, a long-time resident of Burlington, passed away at home on the evening of Friday, November 22, 2024, surrounded by her loving family at the age of 79.  Rita endured numerous health issues after a hard-fought battle against pancreatic cancer.  Her strength and tenacity never failing throughout this long journey. 

Born and raised in Somerville, Rita was the youngest daughter of William and Marie Braga and a graduate of Somerville High School, Class of 1963.  She went on to meet her dear husband Ed, through a mutual friend who worked with him at Star Market. What started as friendly pizza outings after work blossomed into a beautiful romance, and in 1968, they married. In 1974, they purchased their forever home in Burlington, where they raised a family full of love and joy.

Before becoming a mother, Rita worked at an insurance company in Cambridge and in the legal department at Polaroid. But once her children were born, her full devotion was to her family. She became a loving and supportive wife, mother, and grandmother. Rita worked part-time as a sales associate at Filene’s and Jordan Marsh, and when her grandchildren arrived, she selflessly offered to care for them, providing a nurturing presence in their lives while their parents worked.

Rita was a kind, gentle soul who always put the needs of others before her own while never seeking the spotlight for herself.  Family and close friends were everything to her and being surrounded by them was when she was the happiest.  Holidays were especially meaningful to Rita. She spent days preparing for gatherings, and Christmas Eve was a highlight of the year, with an open house that welcomed family and friends alike. Summers were spent making lasting memories with her family, from vacations in Dennis Port to the beloved lake house in Balmoral, Moultonborough, NH, where for the past 18 years, she loved bringing her family and friends together.  Rita also enjoyed going to the casinos and traveling whenever she could.  Her "Girls Weekends" with close friends were cherished.

A humble, thoughtful and loving woman, Rita's heart was always full of warmth and generosity. She had a gift of making everyone around her feel special, and her kindness touched all who knew her. She was everyone’s “Aunt Rita” and created everlasting memories for so many. Rita will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever held in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to have known her.

Surviving Rita are her husband Edward A. Tauro and children, Michele L. Nichol & her husband Todd of Bedford, Denise M. Bowers & her husband Craig of Reading, and Ronald J. Tauro & his wife Yuriko of Melrose.  She is the proud and loving grandmother of Kenneth Nichol, James Nichol, Danielle Bowers, Aaron Bowers and Edward Tauro.  She was the caring sister of the late Rosalind Barnes & her late husband Herbert, the late William Braga, the late Edward Braga & his surviving wife Margaret of Arlington, Richard Braga & his wife Judy of Oviedo, FL.  She is the sister-in-law of Walter & Lisa Tauro of Arlington, the late Ronald Tauro and his surviving wife Cathy, William & Marisa Tauro of Somerville, David & Maria Tauro of Saugus. Rita is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington on Monday, November 25 from 4-7 p.m. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 26 at 9am, follolwed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Malachy Church in St. Veronica Parish, on Tuesday November 26, 99 Bedford Street, Burlington at 10am. Services will conclude with a burial at Pine Haven Cemetery. 

Memorials in Rita’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at http://www.stjude.org. 

For online guestbook and video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net