Obituary of Rita P. Merlo

MERLO - Rita P. (nee Carnevale)

October 29, 2020. Beloved mother of Barbara (Louis) Fonzi, Victor (Mary Beth),

David (Molly) Merlo, Lori (late Michael) Coticchia and Julianne (John “Al”) Yates;

cherished grandmother of 15; devoted great-grandmother of 11; loving sister of

Joseph (Teiko) Carnevale, Joann (Angelo) Tomasello and the late James Carnevale.

No prior visitation. Private services were held at the convenience of the family.

Memorials may be made to Restoration Society, Inc., 66 Englewood Ave.,

Buffalo, NY 14214 (https://rsiwny.org/how-to-get-involved/donate.html).

Rita was beloved by many!  Family was everything to Rita and she was happiest when she was with her children and grandchildren.  

She loved a good game of SkipBo or Scrabble, playing for a quarter a game with whoever stopped by to visit. She prided herself on

finishing the daily crossword puzzle, with her trusty red dictionary right beside her. Rita was an avid knitter and loved music. She played

the piano whenever she happened upon one. 

Rita was a great role model for her children, leading by example. She volunteered tirelessly and humbly throughout her life and was a

member of St. Ann’s Solidarity.  A long time member of Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, she was very involved in CYO and Drill Team.  Her no

nonsense work ethic made her a favorite at the Williamsville Library and Daemen College.  Rumor has it the Williamsville library system took a huge

financial hit from all the book fines she forgave. As the matriarch of the Merlo family, she will be deeply missed by her family and friends!