Rita M. (Sorcinelli) Batista

Rita M. (Sorcinelli) Marques Batista, age 100 years and 4 months, peacefully entered into eternal rest on March 10, 2025 at Pioneer Valley Health & Rehab in South Hadley. Rita was born on November 11, 1924 in Ludlow to the late Ariego Ermenegildo and Zaira (Minardi) Sorcinelli. A lifelong Ludlow resident, she was a 1942 graduate of Ludlow High School. After graduating, Rita worked at Westinghouse in support of the war effort. In 1946, she married Dominic Marques and they were married for 42 years until his passing in 1988. In partnership, they founded Nick’s Auto Body, a business they ran together for many years. After raising her family, Rita returned to work at the Ludlow Town Hall, retiring as the assistant treasurer in 1986. On November 24, 2002, Rita married Manuel Batista and they were married until his passing in 2005. Rita lived a long and fulfilling life, filled with love and joy. The family extends their gratitude to all the friends and family who offered their support and shared their time with her during her journey.

She leaves a daughter, Marie LaPierre and her husband Francis of Ludlow; her grandchildren, Anthony Korzec, Diana Learned and her husband Joshua, and Angela Testori; her great-grandchildren, Eris and Kaylee Learned; her step-daughters, Sally Iwaniec and her husband Stanley, and Carol Gebo and her husband Gary, and a son-in-law, Joseph Testori. She also leaves several nieces and nephews, and many friends including a very special friend, Dolores Auffrey. Besides her parents and husbands, she was predeceased by a son, Lawrence Marques, a daughter, Juanita Testori, and her siblings, Eugenio Sorcinelli, Angelo Sorcinelli, Angelina Fiore, Dolores Balducci, Mary Hope, and Evelyn Anischik.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 with a Calling Hour from 10-11am followed by a Prayer Service at 11am at Nowak Funeral & Cremation Services, 15 Ludlow Ave. Springfield. Burial will follow at Island Pond Cemetery, Ludlow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rita’s memory may be made to New England Hospice, 190 Old Derby St., #304, Hingham MA 02043 (online at newenglandhospice.com) or to the Ludlow Senior Center, 228 State St., Ludlow MA 01056. To offer online condolences to the family, please visit www.nowakfuneral.com.

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