Rita M. (Paglia) Taddeo

Rita M. Taddeo, 98, passed into eternal rest on February 20, 2026 at Van Rensselaer Manor in Troy, NY. She was three days short of her 99th birthday.  Rita was born in Watervliet to Mary (Smith) Paglia and Christy Paglia.  She is predeceased by her loving husband Frank Taddeo.  Rita was self employed as a hair dresser and then went on to work for and retire from New York State department of Motor Vehicles.  Her happiest roles in life was that of mother, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.  She loved cooking and baking for friends and family (her cream puffs and jeanettes were legendary), spending time with loved ones, worshipping and praying, sitting on her front steps and talking to friends and passersby and listening to Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett music. Above all she loved being a grandmother to Joseph and Vince.  Rita is survived by her daughter Lou Ann Caruso (Jake Fros), her grandsons Joseph and Vince and her sisters Mary Ann (Thomas Vumbaco) and Elizabeth (the late John Skelly) and her sister in law Rita (the late Joseph) Taddeo.  She is predeceased by her two sons Mark and Frank Jr. and her brothers Michael (Phyllis), Joseph and Christy (Doris) Paglia.  She is also predeceased by her loving sister in law (who was like a sister) Philomena Taddeo and her two brothers in law Ralph (Loretta) and Joseph (Rita) Taddeo.  Special thanks to her beloved friends Josephine Nicoll and Kathy Stallmer who gave so much love and support to Rita right up until her passing.  Also, special thanks to the staff at Van Rensselaer Manor who took great love and care of Rita.

Family and friends are invited and may call on Wednesday from 9 – 11 AM at St. Joseph's Church 416 3rd St. Troy. Funeral services will begin at 11 am with Fr. Joseph Ngo officiating.

Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Troy.

In lieu of flowers donations can be given to St. Jude’s Children’s research Hospital or St. Joseph’s Church food pantry, Troy, NY.   

Arrangements By; Bocketti Funeral Home

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