Rita Kerivan

Strafford NH - Rita M. Kerivan, 97, of Strafford, NH, died February 28, 2017 at Hyder Family Hospice House in Dover, NH. Born December 20, 1919 in New Bedford, MA, she is the daughter of the late Margaret (Robinson) and Stephen T. O'Grady. She was a 1941 graduate of Bridgewater State College, taught school in New Bedford and Acushnet, and worked at the Massachusetts Department of Public Works in Wellesley until her retirement. Rita married William F. Kerivan in 1944 and lived in Wellesley for 52 years before moving to Strafford in 1996. Rita was a devout Catholic who attended St. Joseph's in Northwood and Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Rochester. She was a past member of the Strafford Women's Club and chaired the Scholarship Committee for many years. Because of her love of gardening, she was a past member of the Strafford Garden Club. Members of her family include her sons William S. Kerivan and his wife Dawn of Upton, MA; James F. Kerivan and his wife Lucinda of Strafford; Richard G. Kerivan of North Reading, MA; Michael J. Kerivan and his wife Melissa of Strafford; 14 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren; and her brother Stephen O'Grady of Strafford. Rita was predeceased by her husband, William F. Kerivan in 1993; her daughter, Sheila M. Hamilton in 2004; and her brother, Francis O'Grady in 2002. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Strafford Women's Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 324, Strafford, NH 03884; or Friends of Hyder Family Hospice House, 285 County Farm Road, Dover, NH 03820. Please include Rita's name on the memo line. To make a donation online, go to http://friendsofhyderfamilyhospicehouse.org/donate/. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, March 5, 2017 from 2 to 6 pm at the R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 South Main St, Rochester NH 03867. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 6, 2017 at 10:30 am in Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church on North Main Street in Rochester. Following the service, burial will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery in Needham, MA. To sign an online guest book, please visit us at www.edgerlyfh.com.