Gloucester Alumni

GLOUCESTER — Rita Mary (Bradley) Zellenka, 86, wife of the late Ludwig F. Zellenka, of Gloucester, died on Monday evening, Aug. 4, 2008 at the Addison Gilbert Hospital.

Born in Gloucester on May 7, 1922, daughter of the late James and Harriett (Poole) Bradley.

Rita was a graduate of Gloucester High School with the Class of 1939. She had married Ludwig on Jan. 5, 1944.

Rita had worked as a Child Support Officer for 23 years, initially at the Gloucester Welfare Office and later for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts when the state took control over all city and town welfare offices.

For many years, Rita was a very active member of the Gloucester Senior Citizens Center and a member of the Gloucester Lodge of Elks Emblem Club. She was also very active member of the former St. Peter's Church in East Gloucester where she was also a member of St. Peter's Sodality.

Rita was a huge Boston Red Sox fan her whole life and would keep box scores for numerous games she attended and watched at home. But her greatest joy was always the time she could spend with her loving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her three children, John Zellenka and wife Maureen, Jane Noble, Lisa Zellenka, all of Gloucester; grandchildren, Margo Barry of Gloucester, Eric Noble and wife Jennifer of Gloucester; great-grandchildren, Brittany, Alexis and Jessica Barry, Gabriel and Isabella Noble, all of Gloucester; two brothers, Walter Bradley and wife Mabel of Lynn, William Bradley and wife Frances of Magnolia; her sister, Eleanor Hilton and husband Lester of Gloucester and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband Ludwig, she was predeceased by her brother, Robert Bradley; son-in-law, Jerry Noble; and grandson-in-law, Scott Barry.