Rita A. Hamilton

Rita A. Hamilton, of Pepperell, MA, passed away peacefully at her home on October 20, 2023 at the age of 95.      Born April 23, 1928, to Paul and Ruth McNiff of Harvard, MA, Rita was the oldest of eight children.     Her parents moved to Pepperell where she met and married Robert Hamilton. Together, they raised four children.     Rita worked for many years as a paralegal before retiring to enjoy her love of reading, gardening, music, exploring New England antique shops and making wonderful memories with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.      Rita carried herself with strength and love for those who went before her: husband Robert, daughter Robin, and granddaughter Meghan, her sisters Sheila Griffin, Paula Gillogly, Marilyn McNiff and brother Paul McNiff, Jr. She is survived by her daughters, Bonnie (Jackson) Chambers of San Antonio, TX, Nancy (William) Trudeau of Chatham, MA, Beth (Michael) Forsher of Pepperell, MA; grandchildren Zachary, Taylor, Erin, Adam and Blythe; great grandchildren Stone, Rebecca, Robin, Nora, Olivia, and Mason; and sisters Carole McNiff and Mary Lou Shattuck.      In the last years of Rita’s life, she enjoyed going for car rides and listening to music with her devoted and compassionate caregiver, Chrissy Robbins, to whom our family is forever grateful for her devotion and humor through the years. Rita also enjoyed the priceless moments of laughing, reading and dancing with her six-year-old great granddaughter, Nora.     A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring of 2024. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rita’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org).