Rita M. McCarthy

Mrs. Rita M. (Keaney) McCarthy, age 81, of Lynn, died peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on Saturday morning following a lengthy illness. She was the beloved wife of Edmund J. McCarthy, with whom she shared 55 years of marriage.

Born in Lynn, Rita was the daughter of the late Francis J. and Theresa (McDermott) Keaney. She was a graduate of Saint Mary’s Girl’s High School and was a lifelong resident of Lynn.

Rita previously worked as a Social Worker for the Department of Public Welfare before leaving her position to raise her 7 children. She was wonderful grandmother and was well known for her Sunday morning pancakes. An active communicant of St. Joseph’s Parish for over 50 years, Rita was a longtime Religious Education teacher and active in the Sunday Adoration Group.

In addition to her husband, she leaves her children, Joseph McCarthy and his wife Jean of Lynn, Anne Ridley and her husband James of Lynn, Marie Bacherman and her husband Paul of Lynn, Stephen McCarthy and his wife Theresa of Lynn, Jean Lepore and her husband John of Weston, CT, Daniel McCarthy and his wife Debra of Danvers and Robert McCarthy and his wife Maria of Marlborough. She was the Grandmother of Sarah and Kateri McCarthy, Lauren Osso, Matthew, James, Helen, Lillie and Keith Ridley, Helene and Michael Bacherman, Thomas and Alison McCarthy, Elizabeth and John Lepore, John, Meghan and Kelley McCarthy and Eoghan, Giuliana, Finola, Edmee and Declan McCarthy. She is also survived by her brother, Francis J. “Fran” Keaney, Jr. of Lynn and several great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Edward W. “Eddie” Keaney who passed away last year.

Rita’s Funeral will be held from the CUFFE-MCGINN FUNERAL HOME, 157 Maple St. Lynn on Tuesday at 9:00AM followed by a Funeral Mass in Saint Joseph’s Church at 10:00AM. Relatives and friends invited. Interment Saint Joseph’s Cemetery. Visiting Hours Monday 3-7PM. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Rita’s memory may be sent to the St. Vincent DePaul Society at Saint Joseph’s Church, 40 Green St. Lynn, MA 01902 or to Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St. Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.