Obituary
Rita T. Lodi, age 100, a lifelong resident of Somerville, died on November 10, 2024 at Meadow Green Nursing Home in Waltham. She was born on Feb. 26, 1924 during a snowstorm in her family’s apartment near the railroad tracks on Garden Court in Somerville.
She enjoyed telling her nieces and nephews how the doctor who delivered her came by horse and buggy from Arlington and had to abandon his carriage on Somerville Ave and walk to their apartment due to deep snow.
She was the youngest daughter Emilio and Dolores (Minelli) Lodi, who came to Somerville from Italy and ran small grocery stores on Somerville Ave. and Atherton Street. She is predeceased by her sister Bice and brother Ruston F. Lodi.
Rita was a 1943 graduate of Somerville High School. For many years, she was an account manager at Blue Cross Blue Shield. Prior to that, she worked in her family’s stores and at Liberty Market in East Boston. She enjoyed traveling, shopping for clothes at Filene’s Basement, her
daily walking routine along Mass. Ave and Davis Square, and spending holidays with her nieces,
nephews and their families.
She is survived by her nephews Ruston F. Lodi Jr. of Newton, and Carlo Lodi of Newbury, and nieces Andrea Pia Silbert of Mansfield, US Army Lt. Gen. Maria Lodi Barrett of Georgia and US Army Major General Paula Lodi of Maryland.
Rita’s burial will be held privately.