Mary Rita Harkin - Obituary

ne June 10, 2017, Rita Harkin passed away peacefully at home with her family at the age of 96. Born on June 30, 1920 in Methuen, Massachusetts, Rita graduated from St. Patrick High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts and moved to Washington, D.C. to begin her career in government service. Rita retired from the U.S. Department of Justice, where she worked in the Tax Division for 27 years. After retiring, Rita volunteered at the Missionaries of Charity soup kitchen in S.E. Washington, and the Meals on Wheels program. She is survived by her daughter Mary G. Harkin and favorite grandson Thomas M. McGrath, and was predeceased by her husband Michael J. Harkin, Sr. to whom she was married for 52 years, as well as her beloved son Michael J. Harkin, Jr. A long-time parishioner of St. Francis Xavier and St. Dominic Catholic Churches in Washington, Rita enjoyed travelling and spending time with her family, reading, music, and summers along the New Hampshire seacoast. Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2017 from 10 to 11a.m. at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 630 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00AM. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Washington, DC. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Dominic Church, Washington, DC, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN.