Obituary of Rita J. (Ryan) Maher

Rita J. (Ryan) Maher, 93, of Peabody, Massachusetts (formerly of Amesbury and Lynn) passed away Thursday, June 6, peacefully at the Kaplan House in Danvers following a brief illness. She was surrounded by her loving family in her final days. Wife of the late Thomas F. Maher, with whom she shared 59 years of marriage, Rita was the daughter of the late William and Catherine "Cassie" (Brodbine) Ryan. Rita was born and raised in Lynn and graduated from Lynn English High School. She worked at GE during World War II. Rita was a devout Catholic. She was a very active member in all the parishes she belonged to over the years. She served as a Eucharistic Minister and was a member of the Carmelite Third Order in Peabody. She was an avid knitter and crocheter, as well as an avid reader. Rita was devoted to her family and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Rita is survived by her eight children: William and his wife, Jean, of Atkinson, New Hampshire; Mary and her husband, Donald White, of Peabody; Cathleen Kelley of Gloucester; Maria-Therese and her husband, Ruben Costa, of Billerica; Veronica and her husband, Patrick Cox, of Danvers; Gerard and his wife, Beth, of North Reading; Thomas J. and his wife, Noreen, of Danvers; and Regina-Marie and her husband, Mark Cali, of Peabody; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Sr. Frances Ryan, Sisters of Charity of Halifax, of Newton, and her brother-in-law, Robert Maher, of Salisbury. Rita was the mother of the late Thomas F. Maher III, affectionately known as Tom Tom. Rita was predeceased by her brother, Joseph Ryan, and her sisters, Rosemary Lawson, Cathleen "Dolly" Muldoon, and Sally Ryan. Her visiting hours will be held on Monday, June 10, from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 20 Church St., Peabody. Her Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 11, at 10:30 AM in St. Adelaide’s Church, Peabody, to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Burial in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Lynn. Expressions of Sympathy can be sent in lieu of flowers to Kaplan House via check made payable to Care Dimensions mailed to 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.