Mrs. Rita T. Sheridan

July 26, 1927 - June 27, 2012

RITA T. SHERIDAN Loving Wife, Mother, and Grandmother Lowell- Rita T. (Laferriere) Sheridan, the beloved wife of Leo J. Sheridan, Sr., and the matriarch of a well known Lowell family, passed away on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at Lowell General Hospital. Rita was born in Lowell on July 26, 1927, a daughter of the late Alexander and Yvonne (Deschenes) Laferriere. She attended Tewksbury schools and then moved with her family to Lowell. Before marrying and starting her own family, she was employed at the former Heinz Electric Company. On September 13, 1952, Rita married Leo J. Sheridan at St. Jean Baptiste Church on Merrimack St. Rita and Leo settled in the Sacred Heart Parish where they raised four children. In September 2011, Rita and Leo celebrated 59 years of marriage. For many of those years, Rita was an active parishioner of the Sacred Heart Church, a member of the Holy Rosary Sodality, and an avid participant at the weekly Sacred Heart Bingo. Rita enjoyed traveling to the mountains throughout New England and the beaches of New Hampshire and Maine, and especially enjoyed Old Orchard Beach in Maine. Rita was a card player, board game and puzzle enthusiast, and a lifelong Red Sox and Patriots fan, listening to or watching their games religiously. Not the most avid cook, she greatly enjoyed dining out with her husband and extended family. Rita’s passion, though, was her family. As a daughter, she was dedicated to her mother, becoming her caretaker in her later years. She was a remarkably devoted and loving wife and mother. She doted on her nine grandchildren, as only a grandmother can, taking great interest and delight in their lives. Rita is survived by her loving husband Leo J. Sheridan, Sr.; her three daughters and their husbands, Linda and Michael Gallagher of Lowell, Lisa and Shawn Slattery of Andover, and Debbie and William Gilligan of Lowell; her only son, Leo J. Sheridan, Jr. and his wife Cheryl of Lowell; nine grandchildren, Ryan, Rory, and Drew Gallagher, Kristen Laurin and her husband Brad, Leo Sheridan, Brendan and Michael Slattery, and Kaitlyn and Collin Gilligan; her sister, Lucille Boynton of Waltham; her godson, Matt Boynton; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends, including her dear friends Rita Simard and her late husband Omer. Rita was the sister of the late Leo Laferriere and sister-in-law of the late Kay Laferriere, Matthias Boynton, Edward and Laura Sheridan, Thomas and Lillian Sheridan, William H. Sheridan, and daughter-in-law of the late Thomas and Alice Sheridan. DEATH NOTICE SHERIDAN—In Lowell, June 27, 2012, at Lowell General Hospital, Rita T. (Laferriere) Sheridan, beloved wife of Leo J. Sheridan, Sr.. Family and friends may call at the FAY McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET, LOWELL, on SUNDAY from 4 until 8 P.M. Mrs. Sheridan’s Funeral will begin on MONDAY MORNING at 9 o’clock from the Funeral Home, followed by her Funeral Mass at 10 o’clock at HOLY FAMILY PARISH – ST. MARIE’S CHURCH, corner of Chamberlain and Grafton Sts. Lowell. Her Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Tewksbury. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Rita’s memory may be made to The American Stroke Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241 www.strokeassociation.org or to the charity of your choice. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS, 978-459-9222. www.faymccabe.com