Margaret "Rita" (Sullivan) Gautreau, a lifelong resident of Charlestown, died on Friday, March 6, 2009, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston following an extended illness. She was 79 years old.
Rita was born in Boston on February 3, 1930. She grew up in Charlestown, where she attended Boston Public Schools. She worked at Schraffts Candy Company in Charlestown for several years as an assembler. She also worked for more than 15 years in the housekeeping department at the Holiday Inn in Somerville. Recently, Rita worked thru Catholic Charities as a foster grandparent in the Somerville School Department.
Rita is the beloved wife of the late Edward R. Gautreau. She is the devoted mother of Patty Callahan and her husband Eddie of Charlestown, Louise Doherty and her husband Frank Callahan of Stoneham and Michael Gautreau and his wife Ilene of Wilmington. She is the loving Nana to Colleen, Caitlin, Bridget, Aileen, Patrick, Michael, Ryan, Jimmy and her great-grandaughter; Caroline. She is the beloved sister of Mary "Patsy" Sullivan of Charlestown and Thomas "Sully" Sullivan of Medford. She is the dear friend and sister-in-law of Ruth Ford and the late Audrey Sullivan.
Rita's Funeral will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at 9 a.m. from The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill Street, Charlestown, followed by her Funeral Mass in St. Francis De Sales Church, 313 Bunker Hill Street, Charlestown, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, March 10, 2009, from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make memorial donations in Rita's name to The American Heart Association, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01702.