Rita Buzzelli (nee Stumpo) passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2016.  She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend.  She is finally at peace. Rita was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Ross Buzzelli, her parents Philip and Mary Stumpo, Uncle Joe Parachini,  brothers Frank (Yolanda), Joseph Louis, Charles (Enna), sister Josephine Mazzeo (Victor), son-in–law Dan Shepherd, granddaughter Theresa Shepherd and niece, Marianne Stumpo. Rita is survived by her loving children, Rosanne Shepherd (Dan) and Russell Buzzelli (Gail), brother, Vince Stumpo (Gail) and grandchildren Brendan, Bryant, Benedict, and Brett Buzzelli, Sebastian and Isaac Shepherd together with Sara Simpson, Sean and Stephanie Reischman and great-granddaughter Reagan Simpson.  She also leaves many cherished nephews, nieces, cousins, her Barberton spiritual family and friends.  She loved each of these with all of her heart and they loved her back just as much. Rita was a lifelong native of Akron, Ohio and graduated from North High School.  She worked at the City of Akron, Babcock & Wilcox, Akron City Schools and Coming Together Project.  She also volunteered for Akron’s First Night, as an usher at EJ Thomas and with St. Augustine Funeral Meal Program.  The family wishes to thank family and friends for the outpouring of love, support and prayers during this time.  The family also expresses gratitude to the staff and volunteers at the Justin P. Rogers Hospice Center who lovingly cared for our dear Rita over the past six months. Rita was a woman ahead of her time; a fiery champion for justice and equality.  She had an uncanny knack of leaving a lasting impression on all she touched, and easily befriended most who crossed her path.  In her own last words, “My childhood was blessed with loving, kind and talented parents, siblings and wonderful family.  Along the way, life provided me with great spiritual advisors, friends, teachers, employers, husband, children and the protection of a hard-working guardian angel.  Everyone should be so lucky to have walked in my shoes.  I sign off and ask you to remember me as forever grateful to all of you and know you are forever in my heart.” Memorial Mass on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at 11:00am at Guardian Angel’s Church, 1686 S. Cleve-Mass. Rd., Copley, OH 44321. Visitation at the church one hour prior to Mass.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service/Justin P. Rogers Care Center at 3358 Ridgewood Rd., Akron, OH  44333 or Heifer International at www.heifer.org.

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