Rita (Towne) Grillo, 89, of Bradford and Seabrook Beach, N.H., died Feb.12 in Haverhill, surrounded by her family.
Grillo was born June 23, 1925 in Lawrence, and raised by her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Towne, and graduated from Saint Patrick’s High School in Lawrence. Subsequently, she graduated from Salem State College in 1969 with a degree in education.
She married Dr. Gene P. Grillo Oct. 20, 1951 while he was in the Air Force. At the end of his military service they moved to Bradford in 1957. She taught in the Lawrence School system for many years. She retired in 1989 and spent many happy years enjoying her grandchildren and traveling extensively with Gene. She enjoyed entertaining and was an expert pastry chef, especially her apple pies, and had a passion for her family.
Grillo is survived by her husband Gene of Seabrook Beach, N.H.; sons Richard and his wife Susan of Newbury, Mass.; Paul and his wife Mary of Exeter, N.H.; her six grandchildren, Peter, Alex, Christopher, Lauren, Liza and Andrew; and two step-grandchildren, Cara and Aimee Frangipane.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her calling hours Monday, Feb. 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Home, 106 Summer St., Haverhill. Her Funeral will be Tuesday, Feb. 17, beginning at 9 a.m., from the Funeral Home followed by a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 in Sacred Hearts Church, Bradford. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Bradford. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of MA/NH, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA, 02472.