Worcester - Rita M. (Downey) Gallant, 91, passed away Wednesday, August 4, 2010, surrounded by her loving family. Her husband of 38 years, George J. Gallant, predeceased her in 1983. She leaves one son and three daughters, Dr. James J. Gallant and Patricia A. Gallant, with whom she lived; Mary R. and her husband Donald E. McKeon of Worcester, and Joan M. and her husband Michael Dooley of Pasadena, CA; one sister, Mary Lou Carney of CA; four grandchildren, Matthew E. McKeon and his wife Barbara of Leicester, Michael J. McKeon and his wife Melissa of Putnam, CT, Kelly A. and her husband Sean McKiernan of Abington, and Patrick S. McKeon and his wife Marissa of Worcester; six great-grandchildren, Michaela, Jack, Maggie, Molly, Caitlin, and Ciara; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sisters, Helen F. Lever and Barbara C. Gallant, and her great-grandson, Connor James McKeon, who died in Feb. 2000.
Rita Mary was born in Worcester, daughter of Mary H. (Deeter) and Harold M. Downey. She was a graduate of Commerce High School, Class of 1939. She was a long-time member of the former Notre Dame des Canadiens Parish in Worcester, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and was currently a parishioner at Christ the King Church. She enjoyed cooking, visiting light houses, and spending time with her family and friends. She loved her cats Tabby, Holly, Gremlin, Bob and Blanket. We’d like to thank her longtime hairdresser, Robert Bacon, for all his kindness and care.
The funeral will be held on Monday, August 9, 2010, from the Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. in Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant Street. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Sunday, August 8, from 4-7 p.m. at Nordgren Memorial Chapel. Donations in Rita's memory may be made to the Families of SMA, 925 Busse Rd., Elk Grove Village, Il. 60007.
For directions or to leave a message of condolence in Rita's on-line guestbook, please click link below.