Rose Marie (Lombardo) Rutkowski

Rose Marie “Rory” (Lombardo) Rutkowski, 90, of Fitchburg, MA, passed away on Sunday, October 7, 2018, at Leominster Hospital, with her loving family by her side. She leaves her beloved husband, Donald V. Rutkowski.

Rose was born on March 9, 1928 in Marlborough, MA, a daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Harper) Lombardo. Rose was raised in Hudson, MA, where she graduated from high school and worked for many years as an assembler at Hudson Lock.

Rory was a well known and active member of the community in Hudson. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader in Hudson for many years. Rory was the original “Band Mom” for the Hudson CYO Band, as she was working with Father Anthony from day one of the bands formation. She always joked that she wanted to become the Drum Major.

She was a long-time member of the local Catholic Daughters. Most recently she was a Past-President of the Hudson Emblem Club.

Most importantly, she was a loving wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her family was her joy. She will be dearly missed.

Among her many heartbroken survivors, Rory leaves her husband Donald V. Rutkowski; her children, Donna (Rutkowski) Espie of Fitchburg, MA and Joseph Rutkowski and his wife Julie of Nashua, NH; her brothers, George Lombardo of Lake Frederick, VA and Paul Lombardo of Marlborough, MA, 4 grandchildren, Erin (Espie) Underhill and her husband Peter of Millis, MA, Ian Espie of Fitchburg, Kristen  (Rutkowski) Grueter and her husband Eric of Westford, MA and  Keith Rutkowski of Maryland, many nieces and nephews across the country and her great-grandchildren, Rose, Will and Lena Underhill and Paul Grueter.

In addition to her parents Rory was also predeceased by her siblings, Francis Lombardo, Joseph Lombardo Theresa (Lombardo) Long and Jack Lombardo.

A graveside service will be held privately at a later date. TIGHE HAMILTON REGIONAL FUNERAL HOME is honored to be assisting with arrangements.