Rita M. (Negus) Briden, 99, of New Bedford passed away Tuesday October 12, 2021 after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Arnold R. Briden.
Born in Providence, RI, the daughter of the late Thomas and Isabelle (Slocum) Negus, she lived in New Bedford for most of her life.
Mrs. Briden was a communicant of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish.
She had been a volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital.
She is survived by her children, Arnold R. Briden, Jr. and Debra A. Long and her husband James; her grandchildren, Mark Briden, Julie Dondero, Kathleen Long, and Patrick Long; and her great-grandson, Zachary Dondero.
She was predeceased by her grandson, Ross Briden, her great-granddaughter, Nicole Dondero; and her siblings, Doris Doyle, Theresa Imondi, and Thomas “Sonny” Negus, Jr. and his wife Barbara who was like a sister to Rita.
Her Funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday morning at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. Burial followed in Pine Grove Cemetery. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.