Mrs. Rita D. McGrath

June 7, 1917 - February 1, 2014

Rita D. McGrath Loving Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Great-Great Grandmother LOWELL— Rita Dorothy (Carragher) McGrath, age 96, a lifelong resident of Lowell, died February 1, 2014 at the Palm Center in Chelmsford. She was the loving and devoted wife of the late Joseph P. McGrath, Sr. who died in 1989, to whom she was married for 50 years. Rita was born in Lowell on June 7, 1917, a daughter of the late Ambrose and Ellen (McCaffrey) Carragher. She attended the Sacred Heart Grammar School and Lowell High School. Rita married Joseph P. McGrath at the Sacred Heart Church on September 24, 1939, and together they raised five loving children. Mrs. McGrath was a communicant of St. Margaret’s Church and a member of The Blessed Virgin Sodality for more than 60 years. Rita will forever be remembered as a loving and devoted housewife and mother. Her biggest role in life was that of nurturing her five children. Mrs. McGrath extended her heart to every friend that her children had. Her survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Joseph P. and Rosemary (Forde) McGrath of N. Chelmsford; two daughters and sons-in-law, Dorothy and Richard Evans of Lowell and Jane and Arthur Ayres of Chelmsford; a son-in-law, James Normandin of Lowell. Rita was the mother of the late Catherine (McGrath) Normandin and Mary Rita (McGrath) Parziale. Mrs. McGrath also leaves her 11 grandchildren, Michael McGrath, David McGrath, Deborah Davidson, Linda Gilbreth, Richard Evans, Jr., James Normandin, John Normandin, Brian Parziale, Margaret Weber, Stephanie Parziale, and Timothy Parziale; 17 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; and many nieces and nephews. Rita was the sister of the late Sr. Ann (Carragher) Sisters of St. Mary of Namur, Joseph Carragher, David Carragher, and Ambrose Carragher. She was the sister-in-law of Bernice Carragher, and the late Palma Carragher and Arlene Carragher. Rita’s family would like to thank the staff, nurses, and doctors at the Palm Center of Chelmsford for the excellent care that she received while a resident there. The kindness and compassion of so many individuals not only provided skilled nursing care to Rita, but also supported the family during a very difficult time. The family is extremely grateful. FUNERAL NOTICE McGRATH—In Chelmsford, February 1, 2014 at the Palm Center, Rita D. (Carragher) McGrath, 96, loving wife of the late Joseph P. McGrath, Sr. Family and friends may call at the FAY McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET, LOWELL, on THURSDAY from 3 until 7 P.M. Rita’s Funeral will begin on FRIDAY MORNING at 9 o’clock from the Funeral Home, followed by her Funeral Mass at 10 o’clock at ST. MARGARET’S CHURCH, 374 Stevens St. Lowell. Burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS, 978-459-9222. www.faymccabe.com