Rita T. Feeney

Rita T. (O’Connell) Feeney, 90, of Plymouth, MA, formerly of Charlestown, MA, Dorchester, MA, and Wells, ME.

Beloved wife of 65 years to the late James J. (“Jim”) Feeney, daughter of Samuel and Mary O’Connell, both of Cork, Ireland. Until her last moments, Rita was devoted to her family, sons and daughters­in­law: Jim and Jean, Fairmont, MN, Mike and Nancy, Canton, MA, Richard and Jean, Weymouth, MA, Jack and Ann, Weymouth, MA, Dan and Sharon, Lehigh Acres, FL, and Bob of Plymouth, MA. Beloved sister of Catherine O’Connell of Charlestown, MA, Elizabeth DiMella of Saugus, MA, and the late Margaret Caron, Gertrude Boesen, and Edward, Mary and John O’Connell. She is also survived by many loving grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, all of whom she cherished.

Rita loved all of the holidays – especially Christmas – and for most of the years she and Jim lived in Dorchester, they would host an open house on Christmas Eve, so she could play her favorite carols on the piano. Family dinners and holidays were mandatory, first with all the O’Connell’s in Charlestown then as the family grew, wherever they could be together. She was always devoted to her extended family, and she often laughed at her memory of packing her young boys up for the train from Dorchester, then a ride on the bus, so they could visit in Charlestown.

Rita worked outside the house for most of her life, first with her sister Kate at the Charlestown Navy Yard during the war, and then at the State Printing Office, where she had a difficult boss, her sister Kate. Her true calling, though, was as a mother. She taught by example, made every sacrifice, and never complained. When it mattered, she was tough and uncompromising, and that’s when she was at her best.

After Jim retired from the Boston Police Department, Rita and Jim relocated to Wells, ME, where they made many deep and lasting friendships, including their dear friends, Bob and Jan Smith. They enjoyed their retirement years there together until the time of Jim’s death, after which Rita returned to Massachusetts. At the time of her passing, she was surrounded by loving family, including her two sisters.

Visiting hours will be held Monday, April 4, 2016, at McDonald Funeral Home, 809 Main Street, S. Weymouth, MA, 4-­8 p.m. Relatives and friends are warmly invited to attend her funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Church, 55 Commercial Street, Weymouth, MA, on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, at 9:30 a.m., with burial to follow at the National Cemetery, Bourne, MA. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital ­ Plymouth, where Rita received exceptional and compassionate care. Donations may be made by mail to Philanthropy Office, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital – Plymouth, 275 Sandwich Street, Plymouth, MA 02360. See www.Keohane.com for directions an online condolences.