Rita Cecelia (Moore) O'Brien

Mrs. Rita C. (Moore) O’Brien, 92, of Milford MA, died Tuesday (December 8, 2020) at the Milford Regional Medical Center as a result of complications from COVID-19. She was the beloved wife of the late Ernest “Ted” O’Brien who died in 2016.

Rita was born in Holliston MA, the daughter of the late James and the late Celia (Doherty) Moore. She attended Holliston public schools, graduating from Holliston High School, Class of 1946. She also received formal training from the NE Conservatory of Music due to her exceptional singing voice.

As a young woman, being an accomplished singer, she would perform at various weddings and other events. She then became a devoted housewife and mother while raising her young family and also taking care of various elderly family members. She later worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as an administrative assistant at the former Wrentham State School.

Rita was a longtime communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Milford and had been active in the church’s choir.

Her love of music was never ending, but her favorite past-time was spending time with her beloved family members.

Rita is survived by her 5 children: Ernest E. O’Brien III and his wife Paula of Westminster MA, Mary (O’Brien) O’Leary and her husband Stephen of Milford MA, James O’Brien of Pawtucket RI, Patrick O’Brien and his wife Donna of Hopkinton MA and Theresa (O’Brien) Gaines and her husband Michael of Yarmouth MA;                    8 grandchildren: Patrick O’Brien and his wife Jennie, Daniel O’Brien, Michael O’Leary, Conor O’Brien, Taylor O’Brien, Liam O’Brien, Haley Gaines and Ross Gaines; 2 great grandsons: Teddy James O’Brien and Kevin Francis O’Brien; and several nieces & nephews.\

Rita was the sister of the late Leonard Moore, the late Joseph Moore, the late Helen Moore and the late Gerald Moore.

Due to COVID-19 and the family’s concern for the wellbeing and safety of family members & friends, a Private Funeral will be held from the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford MA followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Sacred Heart Church in Hopedale MA. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Milford MA. There are no visiting hours. Social distancing protocols & use of face masks will be required for all facets of the funeral services. 

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to The Friends of GAM, Inc. 1 Countryside Drive, Milford MA 01757  Attention: COVID-19 Relief Fund. 

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