Margaret Rita (O'Brien) Griggs

Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family during the visiting hours at Peck Funeral Home, 516 Washington St. in Braintree on
Thursday, August 17 from 5 to 7pm. A Funeral from the Peck Funeral Home will be held on Friday August 18 at 9 A.M. with a service beginning at 10:00 . Burial will follow at Blue Hill Cemetery.

Margaret Rita (O'Brien) Griggs, affectionately known as Rita, passed away peacefully in Duxbury, MA, on August 12, 2023, at the age of 97. Born in Brockton, MA, on January 8, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Timothy O'Brien and Margaret (Derosier) of Brockton.

Rita was a loving and devoted wife to her late husband, Dwight Alton Griggs, whom she married in 1947 and who preceded her in death in 1984. She was a dedicated mother to her children, Elaine and her husband Marty Wetzel of Braintree, and the late Joan Leenhouts of Franklin, who passed away in 1999. Rita was a proud and loving grandmother, or "Gram," to Michael, Thomas, Steven, Jaclyn, Kenneth, Daniel, Jennifer, and Krissy, and a great-grandmother to 14 great-grandchildren. She was also the sister to the late Dot Fitzgerald and her husband Ernest of New Hampshire, the late Bea Regan and her husband Larry of Hudson, the late Jack O'Brien and his wife Jeanne of Maine, and the late Danny O'Brien of New Hampshire.

Rita was a Brockton High graduate and furthered her education by attending business school for two years. She was a dedicated homemaker who raised her family with love and devotion. After the passing of her husband, she worked at Filene's Basement, where she was appreciated by her colleagues for her hard work and dedication.

Rita's interests and hobbies were as diverse as they were engaging. In the 1960s, she was a Campfire leader, influencing many young lives with her guidance and leadership. She loved bowling and was an avid knitter, creating beautiful pieces for her loved ones. More than anything, Rita cherished spending time with her grandchildren. Every moment spent with them was a joy to her, and she took every opportunity she could to be with them.

Rita was best described as loving, kind, and selfless. Her love for her family was evident in all she did, from the smallest gestures of kindness to the large sacrifices she made. Her kindness extended beyond her family to her friends and community. She was selfless in her actions, always putting the needs of others before her own.

Her life was a living testament to the adage, "It is better to give than to receive." Rita’s legacy of love, kindness, and selflessness will live on in the hearts and lives of those she touched. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Rita's life was a tapestry of love and dedication to her family, hard work, and a commitment to the service of others. It was a life well-lived, full of joy, and marked by enduring relationships. Her memory will forever be a beacon of love and kindness to all who were fortunate enough to know her.

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