Cora R. “Rita” Kmiec, 83, of Methuen, passed away on January 14, 2011 at the Holy Family Hospital, followed by a long illness.
Rita was born February 11, 1927 in Lowell, MA. She was raised and educated in Lowell and was a 1944 graduate of Lowell High School. She moved to Methuen in 1955, where she has resided since. She was employed at various Shoe Shops in the area including Stride Rite and Jo-Gals.
Rita was a very devoted and faithful churchgoer and has been a member of St. Monica’s for many years. In her free time she enjoyed playing Bingo, going to the movies, watching game shows and traveling throughout the country. She also enjoyed frequent trips to Denny’s in Salem, NH and Papa Gino’s in Methuen. Rita was greatly loved by all that knew her. She was a kind soul and will be dearly missed.
Rita is predeceased by her parents, Charles and Orelle (Demange) LaCharity, her husband of 50 years, Edwin S. Kmiec, a son, Michael S. Kmiec and many brothers and sisters. She leaves her son, with whom she lived, Edwin A. Kmiec of Methuen, a daughter, Judy King and her significant other, John Whittier of Haverhill, MA, 2 grandchildren, James Maxwell and his wife Kathy and Lori Lord and her husband Joel, 2 great-grandchildren, Sean Lord and Carter Jean Lord, and many nieces and nephews.
Friends are invited to call from 3 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Janurary 18th at the Charles F. Dewhirst Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday at 9 a.m. at St. Monica’s Church in Methuen. Burial will follow at St. Mary Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Lawrence. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Merrimack Valley Nutrition Project, Meals on Wheels, 57 River Road, Andover, MA 01810.