June 30, 1931 – November 23, 2021
Josephine “Jo” Rose (Avola) Rychlik, a resident of Reading for 43 years passed away peacefully surrounded by family, at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading on November 23, 2021, at 90 years of age.
Jo was born in Cambridge, June 1931, as a first-generation American to Michael Avola and Mary (Stella) Avola originally of Italy, into a family of countless cousins, aunts, and uncles. Jo was a graduate of Cambridge High and Latin in 1949. Jo made many warm friends working for a temporary time at NECCO for 11 years, and as an Accounts Receivable expert at Plymouth Rock Transportation -retiring after 20 fulfilling years. She still found the time for lovingly raising and caring for 6 children in a busy home full of needs, and later equally cherished her 4 grandchildren as “noni.”
Jo was a lifelong, devoted fan of Tony Bennett, who was always heard echoing through the house while she was cooking up the best pasta and meatballs this side of Italy, from the thousands of recipes she kept on hand -and sometimes cooked. At 88 years she visited her favorite Donald Duck at Disney World – turning back into an 8-year-old kid again enjoying every wonderful moment.
Jo was the beloved wife of the late Bernard A. Rychlik. Devoted mother of Bernard A. Rychlik, Jr and his wife Lisa of Loveland, OH; Michael F. Rychlik of Mansfield; Mary J. Zacharias and her husband Russ of Chester NH; Christopher A. Rychlik of Reading; Carla A. Jenks and her husband Corey of Wilmington; and Carl A. Rychlik of Reading. Loving Noni of Jessica, Matthew, Caroline, and Cameron.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 2 at 12:00pm at the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) Reading. Burial will follow at Wood End Cemetery in Reading. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 11-12.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Josephine’s memory to the American Heart Assoc. PO Box 417005 Boston, MA 02241-7005
