Cumberland - Rita E. (Merritt) Carbon, passed comfortably in her home on Thursday, January 7, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph D. Carbon. Mr. & Mrs. Carbon had been married for sixty-two years until Mr. Carbon’s death in October, 2014.
Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Raymond E. and Mary E. (Donahue) Merritt, she had lived in Cumberland since 1955.
Mrs. Carbon worked as the Secretary to the Principal at Cumberland High School for thirty years before retiring. She was a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy of the Visitation, Providence.
Her first love was caring for her plants in her home and outside in her gardens. She loved skiing, swimming and ice skating; was a member of bowling leagues at Walnut Hill Lanes and Lincoln Lanes; and enjoyed spending time in Cancun, where she and her husband had a timeshare for many years. She was a wonderful calligrapher, and her work was present on the diplomas at Cumberland High School. She was a communicant of the Historic St. Joseph Church, Ashton.
She is survived by one daughter, Kathleen M. Keaney of Norton, Mass.; one son, Joseph M. Carbon of Charlestown; two grandchildren, Brian C. Keaney, and his wife Allison M. Keaney, of Norton, Mass., and Kevin J. Keaney, and his wife Meredith R. Keaney, of North Easton, Mass.; and two great-grandchildren, Corinne Keaney and Aislinn Keaney. She was the sister of the late Sr. Madeleine Merritt, IHM.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, January 11, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. in Historic St. Joseph Church, 1303 Mendon Road, Cumberland. Burial will follow in St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket. Relatives and friends are invited. Social distancing will be followed and masks will be required. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visiting hours are respectfully omitted. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory to the Salesian Missions, 2 Lefevre Lane, New Rochelle, N.Y. 10801, or to Graymoor - Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement, 41 Old Highland Turnpike, Garrison, N.Y. 10524 would be appreciated. For online guest book, please visit www.bellowsfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements with Bellows Funeral Chapel, 160 River Road, Lincoln.
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