NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Rita Maria Aragose, 79, a longtime resident of North Adams, died Monday evening, Jan. 9, 2006, following a long illness.

Born in the province of Caserta, Italy, on July 1, 1926, daughter of Frank and Concetta Tomaselli Aragose, she attended schools in Italy and completed the requirements for teaching in 1945.

In 1947, Miss Aragose emigrated to the United States and was employed by the filters department of the former Sprague Electric Co. for more than 40 years, until her retirement in 1988.

She was a communicant of St. Anthony's Church and a member of the Sprague Quarter Century Club, the Sprague Retirees and the Jollee Circle.

She leaves a sister, Josephine Ciavarella and her husband, Angelo, of North Adams, and nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was predeceased by two sisters, Lidyia Favuzza and Joan B. Aragose, and two brothers, Silvio Aragose and Rodolfo Aragose, in infancy.

FUNERAL NOTICE — Funeral services for Miss Aragose will take place Saturday, Jan. 14, 2006, at 8:15 a.m. at FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, CENTRAL CHAPEL, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. at St. Anthony Church, 64 Marshall St., North Adams. Burial in Southview Cemetery, North Adams. Calling hours at the funeral home are Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested for the St. Anthony Capital Campaign Fund through the funeral home.