Rita E. (Englese) Karey, age 95, wife of the late Robert H. Griffey and the late Stanley P. Karey died Monday, May 4, 2026 at D'Youville Senior Care in Lowell.
She was born in Roccacaramanico, Italy on July 1, 1930, a daughter of the late Sante and Clara Englese. The family emigrated to the United States when she was 4 years old.
Rita was raised in Watertown and lived in Belmont before moving to Billerica in 1986. Prior to her retirement, she worked as the bakery manager for Star Market in Cambridge for over 20 years.
Rita is survived by her son, Guy Griffey and his wife Barbara of Nashua, NH, her siblings Henry English of Harwich, Angelo English and his wife Nancy of Weston, and Jean O'Toole of Bedford; her daughter-in-law Marilyn Griffey of Atlanta, Georgia; four grandsons, Robert, Jonathan, Anthony and his wife Lia, and Michael and his wife Leeann, as well as 2 great-granddaughters. She was pre-deceased by her son Glen Griffey and her infant daughter Roberta Griffey.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 7 at the Sweeney Memorial Funeral Home, 66 Concord Road, Billerica from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass at St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish at St. Theresa Church, 466 Boston Road, Billerica at 10 a.m. Relative and friends respectfully invited. Interment in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Connery Avenue, Bourne at 2 p.m. Please meet at the cemetery no later than 1:45 p.m.
Previous Events
Visitation
7
May
66 Concord Road
Billerica, MA 01821
Funeral Mass
7
May
466 Boston Rd.
Billerica, MA 01821
Burial
7
May
Connery Ave.
Bourne , MA
