Obituary of Rita A (Coughlan) Cronin

Rita A. (Coughlan) Cronin, of Peabody, wife of the late Edward T. Cronin, died peacefully Tuesday morning with her family by her side. She was born in Revere on November 12, 1914 to Julia (O’Brien) and John Coughlan. She graduated from Rosary Academy in Watertown and Salem State Teachers College. Rita was raised in Revere and moved to Peabody when she met and married the love of her life, Eddie and raised six children. Rita loved life, loved her children and grandchildren and boy did she love to shop! Rita was employed as a school teacher for over 30 years, most of which was spent teaching 5th grade at the West Memorial School. She is survived by her five children, Edward T. “Bob” Cronin and his wife Barbara of Hubbardston, Joyce Cunney and her husband Richard of Danvers, Janet Flynn and her husband Paul of Peabody, Philip Cronin and his wife Jennifer of Salem, Elizabeth McGivern and her husband James of Danvers; 11 grandchildren, Jeffrey and his wife Karen of MD., Erin and her husband Mick of Peabody, Jennifer and her husband Brett of Hubbardston, Carolyn and her husband Andrew of Salem, Jeremy and his wife Lisa of Boxford, Maura of Boston, Tim and his wife Syrah of Medford, Elizabeth and her husband Fran of South Boston, Lauren and her fiancé Travis of Baltimore, Taryn of Melrose, and Maria of Salem: her 13 great - grandchildren, Sean, Anna, Christian, Margaret, Meredith, Julia, Lily, Abigail, Fiona, McKenzie, Charlotte, Seamus, and Robbie; and is also survived by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son Neil Cronin and her siblings, John and Raymond Coughlan, Sr. Mary “Florentia” Coughlan, and Imelda Reitz. Her funeral service will be held on Friday at 10:00 AM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 20 Church St., Peabody followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM at St. John’sChurch, Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday from 4:00 until 8:00 PM and burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem.