Rita M. (Misserville) Dignam

Rita M. Dignam (Misserville) – Methuen, MA

Rita M. Dignam (Misserville), of Methuen, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2025, in Haverhill, MA. She was born on September 24, 1936. Rita was the loving and devoted wife of the late John F. Dignam, who passed away on March 18, 2012. They were married for 49 years.

Rita was the daughter of the late Pietro and Carmella Misserville. She was a beloved mother to Ellen P. Wetmore, John J. Dignam and his wife Christiann, Mary-Kathleen Grams and her husband Mark, and Patricia M. Dignam. She was a cherished grandmother of nine and great-grandmother of five. Rita was the sister of the late Peter Misserville, Phyllis Misserville, Antoinette Misserville, and Frank Misserville. She is survived by her sister Eleanor McCabe (Misserville) and her husband James, her brother Albert Misserville, sister-in-law Pauline Misserville and sister-in-law Barbara Driscoll. Many nieces and nephews also survive her.

Rita was a graduate of Lawrence High School, Class of 1954, and McIntosh Business School in 1955. She worked as an Executive Secretary at Avco from 1956 to 1962 and later as an Administrative Assistant at Mentis Sciences from 1998 to 2010.  From 1962-1998, Rita dedicated her life and love to raising her family.

Rita had many hobbies, including sewing, knitting, and crocheting and seamlessly created a multitude of hats, gloves, mittens, animals, dolls suits, dresses, jackets, vests, blankets, and Afghans for her family for over 60 years. She also enjoyed cooking, baking, playing cards and bowling, achieving high single and triple scores, the women's highest average, and league champion status from 1956 to 1961. Above all, Rita loved to spend time with her family. She was a devout Catholic.

Rita dedicated over 20 years of her life to community service as an RCIA and Sunday School Teacher at St. Mary’s Church in Lawrence, MA.

Rita will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rita’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the High Pointe Hospice House in Haverhill, MA.

Calling Hours are Thursday, March 13, 2025 from 4-7 PM at Goundrey Dewhirst Funeral Home, 42 Main Street, Salem, NH 03079. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 14, 2025 at 10 AM at St. Joseph Church, 40 Main Street in Salem, NH.  Burial will follow the Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence, MA. Please visit www.goundreydewhirstfuneral.com for directions, or to sign the online guest book.

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