Rita Kathleen Kirwin

Rita Kathleen Kirwin, 96, of Madison, CT passed away peacefully at home on November 5, 2022. Rita was born in Lowell, MA on September 3, 1926, to the late James and Kathleen (Farrell) McMahon. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Gerald, her sister Eileen Pappa and brother Paul McMahon both of MA. Rita is survived by her daughter Susan Kirwin of Port Charlotte, FL, daughter and son-in-law Ann and Eric Anderson of Killingworth, sister Joan Casey of MA, brother and sister-in-law James and Doris McMahon of WA, brother-in-law Father George Kirwin of Washington, D.C. as well as her six grandchildren, Megan Murphy, Emily, Kiley, Brinley, Molly and Bryce Anderson. Rita will also be missed by her many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Rita was a graduate of Lowell High School and worked at the Courier Citizen when she married the love of her life, Gerald with whom she shared 56 years of marriage. After moves to Syracuse, NY and Cape Elizabeth, ME, the couple settled in Madison in 1973. Rita worked locally at Sage Allen Department Store and the Guilford Savings Bank, retiring from the bank’s Student Loan Department in 1991. Upon retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, traveling the world with Gerald, wintering in warmer climates with good friends, gardening and playing bridge. Rita was a kind and gentle woman who will be dearly missed by many.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 54 Grove St., Clinton, CT on Monday, November 14, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a reception in the church hall. A private burial will be held at a later time. Friends may call at Swan Funeral Home, 825 Boston Post Rd., Madison, CT on Monday, November 14, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Rita Kirwin to the Connecticut Hospice Development Office, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT 06405 or the Closer to Free Fund at Smilow Cancer Hospital, YNHH Development Office, P.O. Box 1849, New Haven, CT 06508-9979 (Rita Kirwin should be noted on the memo line).