Rita C. Carleton

Rita Catherine (Keough) Carleton, passed away peacefully in the Maples Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Wrentham, Massachusetts on Tuesday, September 20, 2016. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on March 25, 1930, she was the daughter of the Lawrence and Catherine (O'Laughlin) Keough. Rita spent her childhood in Cambridge and graduated from Cambridge Latin High School with the Class of 1948.

After graduation, Rita took a job working with her sister and brother in law in their restaurant, Magazine Street Spa, in Cambridge, where she met her husband to be, James J. Carleton. They were married on April 18, 1953 and made their home together in East Walpole, welcoming seven children. Although Rita stayed busy at home raising and caring for her children, she still found time to take a position at Lechmere's in Dedham in the accounting office to help financially support her family.

As a devoted member of Saint Mary's Church in East Walpole, Rita took an active role in her parish, teaching CCD for many years. In addition, she was a founder of the Saint Mary's Youth Soccer Program, which later became the Town of Walpole Youth Soccer Program.
Rita left Lechmere's and went on to take a Court Clerk position with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the Boston Municipal Court. She retired in 2000 after 20 years of dedicated service to the Commonwealth.

She was an avid shopper and enjoyed traveling. Some of her favorite places included Ireland, Rockport and Cape Cod. However, most of all, Rita loved any opportunity to be surrounded by her family. She was overjoyed as she began welcoming grandchildren and later great grandchildren, always treasuring the time that she spent with them.

Beloved wife of the late James J. Carleton.
Loving mother of Pamela Gibson and her husband James of Foxboro, J. Terence Carleton and his wife Sharon of Needham, Michael Carleton and his wife Jeuli of Arlington, VA, William Carleton of Walpole, Christopher Carleton and his wife Michelle, Thomas Carleton and Catherine Mock and her husband Paul all of Foxboro.
Cherished grandmother of Leah Gibson, Jessica James, Sara Gibson, Erik Carleton, Megan Carleton Stepanian, Timothy Carleton, Devon Carleton, Emma Carleton, Ben Carleton, Julia Mock and Colin Mock and great grandmother of Anna and Katelyn James, Leighton and David Sherlock, Charles and Emma Stepanian, and Livia and Evan Carleton.
Sister of the late M. Madeline Addonizio, Thomas E. Keough and Eileen E. Keough.
Beloved friend and Sister in Law of Dianne E. (Caristi) Keough.
Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Rita's Life Celebration on Friday, September 23, 2016 from 4-8 PM and Saturday, September 24, 2016 from 9-9:30 AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Mary's Church, 176 Washington Street, East Walpole on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Saint Francis Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215.