Rita M. (Covey) Mageary, 93, passed away on Thursday, December 27, 2018 in Shapleigh, ME after a rapid decline in health. She was the wife of the late James H. Mageary, Sr. with whom she shared 62 years of marriage. Born and educated in Lynn, she was the daughter of the late Wesley and Elizabeth (Baker) Covey.
Rita was a dedicated homemaker and mother to her four children as well as a valued employee of the former Hoffman’s Department Store, working in the hosiery department. She also took pride in working with her son William at his graphic arts firm, Total Graphics Center in Revere.
Rita was active in St. Joseph’s Ladies Sodality and was a past secretary of the St. Joseph Convent Guild. Rita was the middle child of a large family and her early life was not easy. She and the family faced many challenges but pride, hard work, and a can-do attitude helped overcome and produce a family she was proud of.
She leaves two sisters, Theresa Hinds and her husband Stanley of Lynn and Audrey Tufts of Danvers. She was the loving sister of the late George, Chester, Joseph, John, James, Alfred, William, Philip, Evelyn Parks, Stella Weaver, and Patricia Beaupre.
Rita was the mother of the late James Jr. and leaves one daughter, Rita M. Slaone and husband Paul of Fairfax, VA, and two sons, William J. and his wife, Eileen of Shapleigh, ME and Richard A. and his wife, Susan of Lynn. Rita was a grandmother, great-grandmother as well as a special aunt to several nieces and nephews.
Rita reached a level of prominence when her Smiley Face Collection that she donated to the Smile Face Museum in 2010 was exhibited in a museum in Brooklyn, NY in 2014 and there is a strong possibility of the collection permanently being housed in the Smithsonian.
Grammy had a special affection for her granddaughter Sharyn and entrusted the care of her Cabbage Patch dolls, Lenny and Nancy, to her. Grammy and Sharyn also had a personal and special song that they sang to each other. At this time Rita’s family sings it to her…”I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.”
Funeral from the Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home, 157 Maple St. Lynn on Friday, January 4, 2019 at 9:15am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, 8 So. Common St. Lynn at 10:30am. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn. Visiting Hours will be held in the funeral home on Thursday January 3rd from 3 to 7pm.
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