Rita Frances (Pina) Jones

Born on January 1, 1948, Rita Jones was the youngest girl of 16 children to parents Manuel and Mary (Duarte) Pina. She was born and raised in Boston. She was a graduate of Jeremiah E Burke High School in 1965.  She then went to work at a textile factory, Girls Town, with her niece Joyce West.  She met the love of her life, Melvin Jones and married August 13, 1966 and raised 5 children.  She worked at the Goddard House in Jamaica Plain as a Receptionist and later as the Director of Housekeeping, and finally at the Greater Boston Food Bank as the Receptionist until she became sick and retired.  Rita was very close to family including her sisters Marlene, Virginia, Shirley, and niece Patricia (Poochie).  She enjoyed playing Bingo, Poker, liked to shop and cook, and spend time with family and friends.  She enjoyed her pastime playing cards with her children and family every weekend.   She was one tough cookie to beat at Poker!  She was funny, a caring mother and wife, had a heart of gold and was always willing to help those in need.  She took in others so they would have a place to call home.  She looked after her children and grandchildren and gave her last.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Mary Duarte Pina, Father, Manuel Pina, Sisters, Mary (May) Barbosa, Irene Newson, Carolyn Rose, Patricia Reed, Brothers, Emanuel (Sunny) Pina, Robert Perreira, Isadore Pina, Thomas Pina, Anthony Pina, Joseph Pina, Alphonse Pina, and Charles Pina Perreira, Brother in Law, Henry Vaughn and niece, Joyce West.

Rita will be lovingly remembered by her Husband, Melvin Jones, five children, David Jones, Derrick Jones, Melvin Jones Jr (Pookie),  Michelle Jones (Poonie) and Dwayne Jones, grandchildren Treniece Jones, Ebony Jones, Dennis Jones, Dana Taylor, Tatum Jones, Dakota Jones, Beniene (Punkin) Ogbomo,  great grandchild Daniel McManus (DJ), Sisters Marlene Vaughn, Virginia DiGaetano, Shirley Lopes, close friends Juanita Rogers, Anita Henderson, Trish Valerie and Barbara Burg, a host of others including sisters in law, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.   

Rita will be loved and missed by many but never forgotten.  Her memory and spirit will continue to live on in years to come.

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