Mary Rita (Rogerson) Ralls, age 89, a lifelong resident of Lowell, died peacefully with her family by her side on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at High Pointe Hospice House in Haverhill.
She was born in Lowell on May 18, 1937, a daughter of the late Henry Rogerson and the late Bella (Souza) Rogerson, both of Lowell. She was educated in Lowell, including Lowell High School.
As a young woman, Mary worked at the Courier-Citizen Company in Lowell, where she met Robert T. Ralls. They were married for 52 years before his death in December of 2009. Together they raised five children, and Mary devoted herself to her family as a homemaker, making their home the center of family life.
Mary was always of Lowell, and for the last 19 years she made her home downtown. Her faith was very important to her. She was a longtime communicant of Saint Joseph the Worker Shrine and a former communicant of Saint Peter's Church.
Mary and Robert loved to travel together, returning again and again to two favorite places, The Point in Hyannis on Cape Cod and White River Junction, Vermont.
Above all, Mary loved her family. Her children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren were the great joy of her life, and nothing pleased her more than having the kids around her.
She is survived by her five children, Gerald E. Ralls of Dracut, Donna M. Breault and her husband Ronald of Gilbert, AZ, Daniel R. Ralls of Chelmsford, Stephen A. Ralls and his wife Jeanne of Hudson, NH, and William J. Ralls of Lowell; six grandchildren, Timothy R. Breault, Alexander R. Breault and his husband Nick, Christopher Ralls and his wife Ashleigh, Joseph Ralls and his wife Emily, Corey Ralls and his Fiancé Kayla Zaiatz and Cynthia Ralls; and three great-grandchildren, Savannah Ralls, Owen Ralls and Casey Ralls. She is also survived by her siblings, Thomas Nagle and his wife Maureen of Hudson, NH and John Nagle and his wife Sharon of Nashua, NH, Linda Mongan and her husband Steve of Concord, NH, as well as many nieces and nephews with whom she was very close.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her daughters-in-law, Paula Ralls, and Christine Ralls, and by her sister Shirley Stamas.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a service of remembrance on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell, MA 01852. Burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery, Lowell. There are no visiting hours.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mary Rita Ralls may be made to Tufts Medicine Care at Home online at www.tuftsmedicine.org/giving.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of the McDonough Funeral Home. For additional information or to offer an online condolence, please visit www.mcdonoughfuneralhome.com.