Rita enjoyed reading and spending time with her grandchildren.
Rita was the devoted mother of Elizabeth McMahon & her husband Joseph, John Ryan & his wife Maureen all of Wilmington, James Ryan & his wife Lorri of Saugus, Joseph Ryan & his wife Margaret, and William Ryan all of Lynn, and Mary Gerling & her husband Brian of Shawnee Mission, KS, loving “Nana” of Colleen & Erin McMahon, Emily & Mary Catherine Gerling, Kaileen Ryan, Meghan & Kerry Ryan, and Billy Ryan, daughter of the late Thomas & Elizabeth (Kane) Murphy, sister of James Murphy of North Andover, and the late Thomas Murphy, Mary Murphy, Margaret Bartel, and Sister Anna Louise Murphy. Rita is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will gather at the Nichols Funeral Home, Inc., 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington on Wednesday, August 31st at 9 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington at 10:00 a.m. Interment Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Memorial donations in Rita’s name may be made to the Woburn Nursing Center, 18 Francis St., Woburn, MA 01801.
Jim, so very sorry for your loss. Thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time.
Dear Jim,
We are sorry for your family’s loss. God’s peace.
Sincerely,
Melissa Scott and Family
Jim,
Sorry to hear about your loss to you and your family.
Jeff M.
I will never forget “Rita Ryan”; her wit and sense of humor – remarkable! It was my pleasure to know her and help care for her. Thank you for sharing your mother with us; it was a pleasure. God’s peace to you. Mal WNC
Jim – our condolences to you, your brothers and sisters. Ms. Rita was quite the character who could always make me laugh when she saw the twins stressing me out with stories of you all growing up. So thankful we had the opportunity to know her. I’m sure she’s happy to be with your Aunt Mary again; may she rest in peace.
- Julie & Dan
Rita will be missed. Such a special person and always great to me. God Bless
Dear Liz and Family,
I’m very sorry to hear of the loss of your Mother. I have so many Happy Memories of growing up and going over your house. She was an amazing person.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Lynne