Mrs. Rita (Griffin) Krupa, 91, a life-long resident of South Lawrence, Massachusetts passed away on Thursday, January 13th, 2011 at the Lawrence General Hospital.
She was born on January 29th, 1919 in Lawrence to the late James and Annie (McGrath) Griffin. Rita was a graduate of Saint Mary’s High School and of Saint Anselms College. She was a life-long parishioner of Saint Patrick Church in Lawrence, and worked for at the Meadow Brook Laundry in Lawrence for several years. In 1959 Rita was a volunteer in the Cerebral Palsy Nursery.
Starting in 1960 Rita became the Executive Director for the Greater Lawrence Association for Retarded Citizens. She received her certifications to the Introduction to Early Childhood Education, Program for Day Care Services, School, Family, and Community Interaction and was a CCD Teacher of Religion.
Rita was a member of the Advisory Committee, Mental Health and Mental Retardation Area Board, Massachusetts State Association of Sheltered shops and Home bound Programs. She was a member of the Community Service Associates of Greater Lawrence Fidelity House, Merrimack Valley and National Association for Education of Young Children Alumni Association, Saint Mary’s Ladies Sodality, Saint Patrick’s Vice President, Mary Immaculate Nursing Home Guild, and Conference of Executives of Associations for Retarded Children. She was the recipient of the Golden Deeds Award Book presented by the Lawrence Exchange Club in March of 1968 and of the Senate Resolution Presented by Senator William X. Wall, in May of 1970. Rita was a member of the Bon Secours Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians Ladies Auxiliary.
Rita enjoyed taking her son, William on special trips to their beach house. She also enjoyed taking trips with her sister Mary to Atlantic City, Las Vegas and Old Orchard Beach.
Wife of the late William G. Krupa, Sr.
and mother of the late William G. Krupa, Jr. She is survived by her Niece: Mary McGovern of Lawrence, MA. Her Nephew: Brian McGovern of Lawrence, MA. As well as several other nieces and nephews. Sister to the late: Thomas Griffin, James Griffin, Joseph Griffin, Walter Griffin, Veronica Lehenger, and Mary Pellegrino
Her funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 19th, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in Saint Patrick Church in Lawrence, MA.
Burial will follow in the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in North Andover, MA.
Calling hours will be private at the request of the family and the funeral arrangements are under the direction of the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 122 Amesbury Street, Lawrence, MA. For online condolences and other information please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to Cor Unum, 118 S. Broadway, Lawrence, MA 01843.