Rita J. Callahan

(1920 - 2009) - Rita J. (Mould) Callahan, 89, of East Longmeadow died on Friday November 6, 2009 at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Springfield on June 6, 1920 a daughter of the late Charles and Catherine (Walsh) Mould and was a graduate of the former Sacred Heart High School in Springfield. Rita was employed for many years as a waitress at various businesses in the Springfield area and most recently was employed as a receptionist for the Springfield Golden Agers. She was a communicant of St. Michael’s Church in East Longmeadow and was a member of the Springfield Golden Agers. Rita also was a member of the Young At Heart Club in East Longmeadow where she enjoyed the Trivia Club and was a member of the Village Green Association in East Longmeadow. She volunteered her time at Mercy Medical Center and enjoyed music and bowling. Rita will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

In addition to her parents, Rita was predeceased by her husband, Walter Patrick Callahan who died on September 17, 1979; by her four brothers, Harry, William, Charles and Frederic and by her five sisters, Ethel, Catherine, Helen, Mary and Dorothy. Rita is survived by her children, John J. Callahan and his wife Margie of Leander, TX, Retired Lieutenant Robert T. Callahan of the Springfield Fire and Bomb Squad with the Springfield Fire Department and his wife Susan of Ludlow, Carol A. Kokosa and her husband Michael of Springfield and Rosemary T. Callahan and her partner Brian Willard of Holyoke; her nine grandchildren, Carole, Jon David, Maria and her husband John, Casey, Robert, Jr., Kevin, Dawn Marie and her husband Bryan, Michael and his wife Kelly and Mark; her 13 great grandchildren, Amanda, Sean, Nicolas, Abbigail, Ryan, Ella, Claire, Kyle, Colin, Kelsey, Joshua, Jesse and Connor; her many nieces and nephews including Betty Jane and Kathleen; and her many extended family members and friends.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday November 9, 2009 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sampson’s Chapel of the Acres Funeral Home, 21 Tinkham Road in Springfield. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday November 10, 2009 beginning at 8:30 a.m. from Sampson’s followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Michael’s Church, 110 Maple Street in East Longmeadow with Rites of Committal to follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery, 1601 State Street in Springfield. Donations may be made in Rita’s memory to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104.