Rita (Kelleher) Mccarthy

Rita McCarthy, 92, formerly of New Paltz, NY, died peacefully at Westview Health Care Center in Dayville, CT, November 20, 2016 after a very brief illness. She had resided at Creamery Brook Retirement Village in Brooklyn, CT since 2011. Rita was born November 9, 1924 in Glens Falls, NY, the daughter of Helene and Frank Kelleher. She was a very bright child and skipped two grades in elementary school, graduating from South Glens Falls High School at age sixteen. After graduation, Rita chose to work for a year, deferring her acceptance to SUNY Plattsburgh. Her secretarial skills were remarkable, and in a short while she was secretary to the Vice-President of the Glens Falls Insurance Company. Studies in Plattsburgh were forgotten. She remained at the insurance company until she married Edward J. McCarthy on May 23, 1953. As a young couple, they moved around, living in Buffalo, NY, Albany, NY and Holden, MA before settling in New Paltz, NY in 1966, living there for 45 years. After the birth of their son, Rita became a stay-at-home mom for more than a decade. She then returned to work, first in the Continuing Education Department of SUNY New Paltz, and then at the Mid-Hudson Medical Consortium/New York Medical College. In retirement, Rita and Ed led a quiet life, travelling to Hawaii, Ireland, Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach, Maine, and various other places. Edward McCarthy, her husband of 56 years, died in 2009. She was also predeceased by her brother Leo Kelleher and her cousins Frances Hay and Reverend Robert Buckley, all of Glens Falls. Rita is survived by her son, Michael McCarthy, of Willimantic, CT. The family is especially thankful for the staff and residents of Creamery Brook Retirement Village, who helped to make Rita?s final years fulfilling and enjoyable. She loved living there! In lieu of flowers, donations in Rita?s name may be made to: New England Music Camp Scholarship Fund, 8 Goldenrod Lane, Sidney, ME 04330. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at 9:00AM at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic, CT, with a procession to the Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10:00AM at St. Joseph Church, 99 Jackson St., Willimantic, CT. Interment will be at Saint Mary Cemetery, South Glens Falls, NY. To sign the online memorial guest book, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.comCharitable donations may be made to:New England Music Camp Scholarship Fund8 Goldenrod Lane, Sidney ME 04330