Rita Jean (Carroll) Haley
“Mom, Nana, Nana Rita”
Rita Jean (Carroll) Haley, 95 of Tewksbury, passed away after a brief illness surrounded by her loving family. She was the widow of the late Samuel Haley who passed away in 2013.
Born January 12, 1929 in Somerville, she was a daughter of the late Walter J. Carroll and the late Alice (West) Carroll. At the age of 14, her family relocated to Cambridge, where she attended the area schools, she later moved to Medford and also Derry, NH, before making her home in Tewksbury.
Rita was a devoted stay at home mom, raised her eleven children, and helped raise some of her grandchildren.
At the age of 59 she worked as a childcare provider at Healthworks in Porter Square for over twenty years. She was dedicated to her work, but adored coming home to her children. She loved her family and never wanted to leave them. Over the years, she made hundreds of family friends who she loved and loved her back. She cherished her family and loved them all unconditionally and equally.
Rita is survived by her ten children, Richard Sylvester and his wife, Anne, Donna Lindsey, Stephen Sylvester, Deborah Sylvester, Diane Sylvester Ames, Thomas Sylvester, Denise Colarusso and her husband, Anthony, Darlene Donovan and her husband, Patrick, Mark Sylvester, and Eric Haley; 23 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, and four great great grandchildren. She is also survived by her niece, Geraldine MacDonald and her husband, Wendell, and extended family and friends.
She was predeceased by her late son, Michael Sylvester; her late husbands, Richard Sylvester and Samuel Haley; three late grandchildren.
The family encourages anyone attending to wear her favorite color purple for her funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: St. Jude Donation Link
On Sunday, June 9, 2024 all are welcome to attend her calling hours from 3-7 p.m. at Tewksbury Funeral Home, 1 Dewey Street, Tewksbury 978-851-2061.
Her funeral will begin on Monday morning at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by her funeral mass at 11:30 a.m. at St. Williams Church, 1351 Main Street, Tewksbury. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden.