Dorothy Rita Toppa

Rita Toppa, 87, of Valley Road, Middletown, RI, formerly of 72 Warren Ave, Middletown, died Friday, April 21, 2006 at Newport Hospital, Newport, RI. She was the wife of the late Nicholas Toppa. Born in Newport, RI, on April 14, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Raymond and Mae Dillon Devlin.She was also known as Ma Toppa to many of the people she touched in her life.Mrs. Toppa promoted community service and volunteerism, which she led by example. Her many accomplishments included Cub Scout Troop Leader, Girl Scouts, Meals on Wheels, 4-H, RI Special Olympics, Middletown Democratic Party and as a blood donor over five gallons in her lifetime.She was a devout Catholic and served her parish as a member of The Mothers club, St Marys Parish Guild and helped The Sisters of Mercy with their educational activities.She continued to serve her community even when her health brought her to The John Clarke Nursing Home where she helped with activities and as counselor for fellow residents.Her belief in the importance of education led to the two accomplishments of which she was most proud. She served on committees that led to the formation of The James L Maher Center, a non profit organization that serves the developmentally disabled. And she graduated from the University of RI at the young age of 74 with a degree in Human Studies. She is survived by four sons Robert Toppa, and his wife Joanne of Cranston, RI, William Toppa, and his wife Cheryl of Kenai, AK, Nicholas Toppa Jr., and his wife Karen of Middletown, RI, and Stephen Toppa, and his wife Peggy of Newport, RI, and her daughter Rita Toppa of Bristol, RI, her son in law Ronald Medeiros, her eleven grandchildren, Briana and Gerry Toppa, Maria Miles, Chrystal Laurent, Amanda Bombardier, and Erin, Stephanie, Megan, Rachel, Spike and Sam Toppa, and ten great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter Rachel Medeiros, her brother Raymond Devlin, and a sister Jean Tremblay. Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2006, at 8:00 am from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 am in St. Marys Church, Spring Street, Newport. Burial will be in St. Columbas Cemetery in Middletown.Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2006, from 4-8pm in the Memorial Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to John Clarke Nursing Center Activity Fund 600 Valley Road Middletown, RI 02842.