Rita M. Collins, 98

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FRAMINGHAM – Rita M. Collins, 98, of Framingham, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 21, 2022, at St. Patrick’s Manor, Framingham.

Rita was a lifelong resident of Framingham and a graduate of Framingham High School, Class of 1941.

Following her graduation, Rita became a proud “Dennisonian,” joining Avery Dennison (then Dennison Manufacturing), where she would spend the next forty-three years until her retirement. She took great pride in her work, attaining a supervisory role, and throughout her work life, developing many lifelong, close, and caring friendships, which continue to this day.

After she retired, Rita spent many fulfilling hours volunteering at St. Patrick’s Manor, working in the Activities Department with Alzheimer’s patients. Through this work, Rita gained more wonderful friends as she came to know many of the caring staff members. She also developed a deep admiration for and close relationships with the dedicated Sisters of the Carmelite Order.

Rita loved laughter, her faith, and her family and was passionate about her Irish heritage. She had a keen interest in other people, and throughout her life, she continued to have a unique ability to make others share their life with her and join her in a laugh.

Rita was a caring and loving Aunt and Godmother. She leaves behind her nieces, Kathleen Phillips and her husband Andrew of Morristown, NJ, Mary Hassan and her husband Michael of Framingham, and Patricia Colford and her husband Robert of Franklin. She is also survived by seven great-nephews, a great-niece, and six great-great nieces and nephews, her sister-in-law, Beverly Collins of Ashland, and her goddaughter Ann Driscoll of Wareham, and several cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Joseph and Bridget Collins, her brother William and his wife Louise, and her brother, John Collins.

The family extends sincere gratitude to the dedicated staff at St. Patrick’s Manor for their loving care these past years.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral Mass on Friday, January 28, 2022, at 10 a.m., at St. Stephen’s Church in Framingham.

Burial will follow at St. Stephen’s Cemetery in Framingham

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Norton Funeral Home, 53 Beech Street in Framingham.

Expressions of sympathy in Rita’s memory may be made to the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, St. Teresa’s Mother House, In Memory of Rita M. Collins, 600 Woods Road, Germantown, NY  12526

To leave a message of condolence and sign the online guest book, please visit www.nortonfuneralhome.com