Obituaries

Rita Patricia Maher Stewart

Rita Patricia Maher Stewart of Laurel, a homemaker, gardener and dog lover, died Feb. 19, 2014. She was 96.

She was born in Boston, Mass., Oct. 28, 1917, to John and Mary Maher. She spent her youth there until her marriage to William Fisher Stewart of Watertown, Mass.

Rita attended Notre Dame Academy in Roxbury, Mass., and Boston School of Practical Art. She worked at Massachusetts Institute of Technology during World War II while her husband served in the South Pacific.

The Stewarts resided in Flushing from 1946 until 1971, at which time they moved to Mattituck full time. They were married for 57 years until Mr. Stewart’s death in 1999. Mrs. Stewart was a full-time wife and mother and enjoyed staying at home with her children and grandchildren.

Surviving are her three children, Maryanne Stewart Langton of North Attleboro, Mass., John Stewart of Fredericksburg, Va., and Bruce Stewart of Cutchogue; four grandchildren, Amanda, Robert, Johnny and Kathleen; and five great-grandchildren, Robert Jr., Ava, Ayden, Raylan and Isla Victoria.

The family received visitors Feb. 23 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. The Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated Feb. 24 at Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Church in Cutchogue. Interment was at Calverton National Cemetery.

Memorial donations to the Mattituck Fire Department would be appreciated.

This is a paid notice.