Margherita Pauline 'Rita' Graziano, 93

Margherita Pauline "Rita" Graziano, formerly of Basking Ridge, N.J., passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2009. She was born in Boston on Nov. 16, 1915, the daughter of Peter and Pauline (Mondino) Cerrina.

Rita Graziano was the only child of Peter and Pauline Cerrina. Her father was a gourmet chef and ran several restaurants. Her mother was a homemaker and a seamstress. When Rita was growing up, the family lived in Boston, New York City, Miami and New Jersey. She has several special memories of childhood experiences with famous people. She was taught to swim by Johnny Weissmuller, the actor who played in the original "Tarzan" movies. She saw Frank Sinatra when he first started out and thought he had no talent. And she saw the world-renowned operatic tenor, Enrico Caruso, at her grandmother's boarding house in Boston. Caruso had come there to have a meal because Rita's grandmother emigrated from northern Italy and cooked the special foods of home that were difficult to find in his world travels.

Rita was employed as a stock runner on Wall Street in New York long before computers were invented. She also worked as a hat check girl during the early years of adulthood.

She met John Graziano, the love of her life, when she was in her mid-20s and they were married in New York City on May 17, 1941. They had one child, Peter, who now lives in Whitefish. Rita and Johnny eventually settled in Basking Ridge, N.J. They had marvelous gardens surrounding their home. Rita was a member of the Basking Ridge Garden Club for more than 25 years, where she served as club historian. Other members included Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Meryl Streep. Gardening and sewing were her favorite pastimes and she developed the skills of a professional in these areas.

Rita came to Montana after she was widowed in 2006. She has been lovingly cared for by the staff at The Springs Assisted Living in Whitefish, and more recently at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. Much thanks and appreciation to all those who gave her the loving gift of a gentle passage. Rita was a great life teacher - her bright eyes, sunny smile and strong spirit will be missed by all.

She is survived by her faithful and loving son, Peter "Rocky" Graziano; two attentive grandchildren, Michael Graziano and Pauline Graziano Grillo; two great-grandchildren, Rosario and Santino Graziano Grillo, and their father, Roy Grillo. Rita will be fondly remembered by both of her daughters-in-law, Margaret Graziano and Sandra Stoutenburg, along with other family members and close friends.

Graveside services for Rita will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 4, at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell. After the service there will be a gathering at her granddaughter's home in Kalispell.

The family suggests that any donations in her memory may be made to the Bratsberg Alzheimer's Unit at Immanuel Lutheran Home, 185 Crestline Ave., Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Rita's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Rita's guest book.