Rita M Corrigan

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Rita M. Corrigan, 77, a retired secretary, died Tuesday at her home in Westerleigh. Born Rita M. Brannigan in Manhattan, she moved in the 1960s to Port Richmond and shifted to Westerleigh in the 1990s.

She graduated from Our Lady of Perpetual Help High School, Brooklyn, and attended college in Manhattan.

Mrs. Corrigan worked for close to 30 years as a secretary, including at a business in Manhattan and then for 16 years at the former St. Vincent's Medical Center, West Brighton. Previously, she worked for 17 years as a floral designer at Scalici's Florist, Port Richmond.

She was a parishioner of Holy Family R.C. Church, Westerleigh, and a former member of St. Roch's R.C. Church, Port Richmond.

Mrs. Corrigan enjoyed going to the Todt Hill Senior Center. She delighted in entertaining, and she faithfully prepared corned beef and cabbage every St. Patrick's Day.

More than anything, she enjoyed spending time with family.

"She was a very kind and giving mom and she opened her home to everybody," said her daughter, Rita Sanzone.

Also surviving are James, her husband of 57 years; two sons, James and Joseph; her daughters Debra Castaldo and Kathleen Rosiello; a sister, Margaret Messelt; 10 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Saturday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 9:15 a.m. in Holy Family Church. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Brighton.