Rita M. Murphy

Rita Marie Murphy of Canton, MA passed away September 13th after a long illness.

Rita was born and raised in Weymouth, MA. A graduate of Weymouth North High School, she earned a dual degree in Journalism and American History from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Rita (Marguerite) T. Murphy and George F. Murphy, her sister Joan O’Neill and her brother Paul Murphy and his wife Joanie. She is survived by her sister Linda DiRico and her husband Richard of Springfield, PA, her brother Brian P. Murphy and his wife Sue Murphy, of Abington, MA, her four cherished nieces, Erin McKnight, Andrea DiRico, Tracey Malone, Laura Casale and 6 great nieces and nephews.

A lifelong cat lover, she was an enthusiastic supporter of the Friends of Felines Rescue Center in Defiance, OH, having virtually managed their social media pages for many years.

Rita was a strong supporter of the efforts of the World Trade Center Health Registry, helping to track the health implications of first responders and residents of the ground zero area during 9/11. As a resident of ground zero during 9/11 she has actively participated in providing updates to health issues related to the exposure of air contaminants.

Services and burial for Rita will be private. She will be buried alongside her mother and sister in St. Joseph’s cemetery, West Roxbury.

Relatives invited on Thursday 9/18/2025 from 10AM-11 AM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home NORTH WEYMOUTH at 40 Sea Street (off Route 3A - Bicknell Square) for private visiting hours prior to burial.

Her family requests that donations be made to the Friends of Felines Rescue Center in Defiance, OH  in memory of all the homeless cats