Rita A. (McLaughlin) Stone, a lifelong resident of Woburn, passed away peacefully at the age of 90, Thursday, September 12, 2024, surrounded by her loving family at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading. Rita was the beloved wife of the late George T. Stone, Sr. Born in Woburn, May 4, 1934, she was the daughter of the late William E. and Mary (Brown) McLaughlin.
Rita graduated St. Charles High School in 1952 and not soon after married the love of her life,
George T. Stone, Sr., they went on to raise five children in Woburn. Rita truly lived life through simple pleasures; she was known as "Gammy" to so many, even if they were not her grandchildren. She was a true lover of the beach and spent many family summer vacations at Hampton Beach, NH, which some of those vacations included her twin sister Ruthie and Ruthie`s nine children. She took lots of trips to Florida with family and friends which included beaches from the west to east coasts. Upon being the last remaining of the six McLaughlin sisters, Rita stepped into the role proudly of matriarch to so many, including the families of her five children, many nieces and nephews and countless children of the next generation.
A friend to so many, you could always find her around Woburn, whether it was at Dunkin Donuts in downtown, having coffee with her friends every morning or just around town. She will be greatly missed.
Rita was the loving mother to George Stone Jr. of Haverhill, Susan Stone of Beverly, Dennis Stone and his wife Denise of Woburn, Carolyn Stone of Newburyport, and Jeffrey Stone and his wife Kimberly of Woburn. Cherished Gammy to Emily Wilson and husband Eric, Courtney Stone, Olivia Stone, Elyse McCue, Chad McCue, Jessica Murphy and husband Andrew, Michael Stone, Mitch Murray, Brett Stone, and Tegan Stone, and Great Gammy to Riley and Ruby Wilson. Loving sister of the late Carol Lynch, Mary McLaughlin, Ann Barnett, Jeanne McLaughlin, and her twin sister Ruth Mulrenan. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours at the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Family Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., Woburn MA, Wednesday, September 18th, from 4 to 8 p.m. A Funeral Mass celebrating Rita's life will be held Thursday, September 19th, at 10 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 280 Main St., Woburn. Services will conclude with a burial at Calvary Cemetery, Winchester. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Rita's memory to the Crush Colon Cancer Foundation, 146 Church St., Wilmington MA 01890, or visit www.crushcoloncancer.com.