Rita A. (Lopardo) Shelzi, a resident of Reading for 51 years, passed peacefully at her home surrounded by family after a 7 month battle with cancer on August 11, 2014. She was 85 years of age. Rita was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on August 27, 1928 the daughter of the late Ralph and Carmella (Santoro) Lopardo. Rita was an active member of St. Athanasius Church in Reading. She was the past treasurer of Pesco Solido Foundation. Rita loved to travel but she mostly enjoyed spending her time with her family and friends. Rita was the Beloved wife of the late Louis A. Shelzi. Devoted mother of Louis A. Shelzi, Jr. and his wife Mary Ellen of Orange, NH; Marybeth S. Hood and her husband Stephen of Franklin. Cherished sister of Domenic Lopardo and his wife Lisa of W. Boylston and the late Mary Paladino, Michael and Louis Lopardo. Sister in-law of Mary Errichetti of Woburn; Ann White of Burlington, and Emma Schelzi of Woburn. Loving grandmother of Marcello and Alaina Shelzi; Andrew and Emily Hood and also survived by many nieces and nephews. Rita's Funeral will be held from the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) Reading on Saturday August 16 at 8:00 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Athanasius Church 300 Haverhill St. Reading at 9:00 am. Burial to follow in Charles Lawn Cemetery, Reading. Funeral home visiting hours will be Friday from4-8 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Lahey Hospital & Medical Center. Contributions in memory of Rita can be made online at www.lahey.org/makeagift or Checks payable to Lahey Hospital & Medical Center "in support of Sophia Gordon Cancer Center" can be mailed to Office of Philanthropy, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805. For directions and on line guest book visit johnbdouglassfuneralhome.com