Rita Franceschelli Marinelli, 89, of North Haven peacefully entered into rest surrounded by her family on Saturday, January 5, 2019.  She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph W. Marinelli, Jr.  and devoted mother of Beth (David) Spose and Joseph (Wendy) Marinelli, III.  She leaves behind her grandchildren, Lindsay (Luke) Marlow, Michael Spose, Santina and Olivia Marinelli and a great grandson Henry Marlow, who will cherish memories of their loving grandmother and great grandmother.  Rita was born in New Britain on October 15, 1929 to the late Marino and Irma Conti Franceschelli.   She had worked as a secretary for the North Haven Board of Education for 32 years until her retirement.  Rita enjoyed cooking, baking but her greatest enjoyment, however, was spending time with her family, taking pleasure in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren whom she loved unconditionally.  Rita is survived by sisters Mary Serravalle and Ernestine Colosimo as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by sisters Helen Mastrianni, Emily Cianci, Eleanor Marcello and Olga Marinelli.

Friends and family may call at the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue Thursday, January 10, 2019 from 4 to 7 pm.  Her funeral procession will leave the funeral home Friday morning at 10:30 am.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 2819 Whitney Avenue, Hamden at 11:00 am.  Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery.  Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to St. Lucian’s Residence, 532 Burritt Street, New Britain, CT 06053 or Monsignor Bojnowski Manor, 50 Pulaski Street, New Britain, CT 06053.