Rita B. (St. Denis) Coonan, 96, of Dudley and former longtime resident of North Grafton, died Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at home with loving family members by her side.

Rita was the proud mother of 10 children and is survived by Everett Coonan, Jr. and his wife, Bonnie of The Villages, Florida, Mary Geary of Tampa, Florida, Carol Cahill of McCordsville, Indiana, Thomas (Tom) Coonan of Putnam, CT, Nancy McGill and her husband, Fred of Dudley, Patricia Lucero of North Grafton, Dianne Coonan and her husband, Miguel Villega of Worcester, John Coonan of Putnam, CT and Robert (Bob) Coonan of Worcester. She also leaves 22 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson. Rita is also survived by her brother, Arthur St. Denis and his wife, Jeanne of Worcester and dozens of nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Everett W. Coonan, Sr. and by her daughter, Jeanne Yuknavich; her grandson, David Bengtson; her 3 brothers, Ernest St. Denis, Lawrence (Larry) St. Denis and Leo St. Denis; one sister, Lucille Sanborn and a great grandson, Spencer Salce.

Rita was born in Rochdale, MA to the late Lorenzo and Corinne (Gagnon) St. Denis. After marrying, Rita and Everett lived in Leicester before moving to North Grafton in 1956 where they continued to raise their large family and where Rita remained for nearly 7 decades.

She was a devoted parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in North Grafton. She was a kind, loving and patient wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Ever the caregiver, Rita not only took care of her own, but would help out her fellow neighbors during their times of need. When neighbors were sickly, elderly or shut-in, she would deliver meals and help out with chores or whatever was needed. The best word to describe Rita was “selfless”, always putting everyone else’s needs before her own. She was loved dearly by all who knew her and she will be deeply missed.

Friends and family are invited to attend calling hours from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at Roney Funeral Home, 152 Worcester Street, North Grafton. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 17 Waterville Street, North Grafton on Friday, July 14, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VNA Hospice & Palliative Care, 119 Rosewood Drive, Suite 180, Danvers, MA 01923.