Ashtabula – Rita P. Gillen, 92 of Ashtabula died June 16, 2023 at The Ashtabula
County Medical Center. Born February 17, 1931, in Ashtabula, she was the
daughter of Marino and Mary (Capitena) Domizi. She was a graduate of
Ashtabula High School Class of 1948 where is played in the band.
She operated a beauty parlor, worked in the wig department at Carlisle-Allen, and
served in the Ashtabula City Hall tax department.
She liked golfing, crafts, volunteering at ACMC, and snow-birding in Tucson, Az.
She enjoyed socializing with family and friends, and especially spoiling her
grandchildren. She was a member of St. Joseph Parish, where her father installed
the marble work and her father-in-law, as an alter boy, funded one of the stain-
glass windows near the sacristy.
Rita was married in the early 1950’s to Gabe Matrisciano, who was killed in
Korea. Later, she was introduced to Edward Bond Gillen by mutual friends, Ted
and Louise Sarbiewski. Ed and Rita married in September of 1955.
Survivors include brothers, Thomas H.( Marilyn) of Palm Desert, CA and Robert R. ( Sheila) of
Highland Heights, OH; sons Dr. Edward J. Gillen (Susan) of Portsmouth, RI and
Michal A. Gillen (Pamela) of Ravenna, OH; a daughter Nora M. Boothby (Tim) of
Ashtabula; four grandchildren; Katelyn A. (Martinez), Blake Boothby, Brett Gillen
and Brooke A. Gillen; and two great grandchildren, Sophia Martinez and Eli
Boothby.
She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant son, Timothy, and both
husbands.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday June 19 at Noon in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church with burial to follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday morning from 10 to 11:30 in Guerriero Funeral Home 1550 West 19th St. in Ashtabula. Condolences can be made at guerrierofuneralhome.com
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