WINDHAM, NH - Rita Marie (Roy) (Corcoran) Meinholtz, 92, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on Monday, October 30, 2023. Born in Lowell on May 6, 1931, she was the youngest child of the late Onesime and Irene (Geoffroy) Roy, and wife of the late Andrew A. Corcoran and the late Robert F. Meinholtz.

The youngest of eight children, Rita grew up in the Acre neighborhood of Lowell. Raised by her mother and maternal grandparents, she learned to value family at a very young age and always dreamed of having a large family of her own. In 1953, she married the love of her life, Andy, and they settled down in Dracut where they raised their eight children.

No matter where she was or what she was doing, as long as her family was there, Rita was at her happiest. She often remarked (with a grin) how crazy she must have been to have had so many children, and it was clear to anyone who met her that she cherished her family more than anything else in the world. Incredibly proud of her loved ones, she was everyone’s biggest cheerleader and the first to encourage and celebrate their successes.

Rita’s fondest memories were of countless cookouts, holidays, and birthday parties with her children (and eventually grandchildren and great-grandchildren). A true matriarch of the family, she led by example. Unfailingly standing proud, with her chin up, during even the darkest of times, she demonstrated what it meant to live with integrity, dignity, and grace.

Always up for a game of cards, Rita's lucky streak was unmatched- though everyone agreed that losing to her was worth it as it meant getting to spend that much more time by her side. When not winning games, she could be found rooting for the Red Sox and Patriots or taking a drive to the beach with one of her children.

Rita leaves behind six children, Suzanne Lyons and her husband Barry of Dracut, Lawrence Corcoran and his wife Jamie of FL, Steven Corcoran and his wife Marybeth of Windham, NH, Nancy Addonizio and her husband John of Naples, FL, Sandra Radochia and her husband Paul, and Jeff Corcoran of Derry, NH. She also leaves behind a daughter-in-law, Paula Corcoran of Dracut, and eight grandchildren: Jeremy Corcoran and his wife Sarah, of Decatur, GA, Melissa Boyle and her husband Darrell of Dracut, Michelle McHale and her husband Daniel of Somerville, Andrea Santos and her husband Scott of Littleton, Kelly Hardy and her husband Neil of Dracut, Ryan McInnis of FL, Ashley Toland and her husband Mike Badzmierowski of Portland, OR, and Alex Corcoran of Dracut. In addition, she is survived by 12 great-grandchildren: Benjamin and Elizabeth Corcoran, Keira Boyle, Elise and Julia McHale, Eric and Eve Santos, Taylor and Andrew Hardy, and Lily, Saydee, and Sydney McInnis. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

In addition to both of her husbands, Rita was predeceased by her two beloved sons, Andrew “Andy” Corcoran, Jr., and Bruce Corcoran, both of Dracut, a grandson, Eric Demers, all of her siblings, Blanche Stewart, Annette Grondine, Alice Hudon, George Roy, Theresa Wilson, Cecile Regan, and Claire Shugrue, and many friends.

Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday, November 2nd from 5pm to 8pm at the DRACUT FUNERAL HOME, 2159 Lakeview Ave., DRACUT.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, November 3rd at 11:30am at ST. FRANCIS PARISH, 115 Wheeler Rd., DRACUT. KINDLY GATHER AT THE CHURCH.

Interment will follow in ST. JOSEPH CEMETERY, 96 Riverneck Rd., CHELMSFORD.

In remembrance of Rita, donations may be made in her memory to the Bruce Corcoran Scholarship Fund. Please make checks payable to Dracut Scholarship Foundation with “Bruce Corcoran Scholarship Fund” in the memo and mail to P.O. Box 117, Dracut, MA 01826.