Rita Kahn of Dedham MA, long-time Sharon resident, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2022 at 95 years of age. Devoted wife of the late Leon Kahn. Proud mother of Robert (Mary) of Danvers MA and Larry (Amy) of Orlando FL. ‘Nana Rita’ to Rachel, Emily, and David and great-grands Milo, Charlie, and Iris. Loving sister-in-law to Selma Canner and the late Mike and Helen Mills, which made her Auntie Rita to Michael Mills, Stephen Canner, Lisa Devlin, Heidi Canner and their families.
Rita gave her heart and loving attention to her family and to every circle and community she joined. She was a connector, an avid follower of media, a mentor, and a multitasker before the word was coined, famous for making stops along the way.
Academically and professionally, those stops included Newton High School, Boston University (BS); Northeastern (RRA) and a long career in the Medical Records Dept at Norwood Hospital.
Personal stops included the beaches at Lake Massapoag, Nantasket, and Chatham, ice cream at Crescent Ridge, scallion pancakes at Alice’s, lobster rolls at Legal, rugelach from Cheryl Ann’s, and voting in every election.
During her 54 years in Sharon, Rita was active in the League of Women Voters, Temple Sinai, and Klal Yisrael. Her final home was at Newbridge on the Charles. She was ‘the soul of 2 North’ for twelve years, engaging in activities and advising culinary and medical staff. She was quoted by Dr. Atul Gawande in Being Mortal (see Chapter 5).
Rita finally slowed down in August after celebrating her 95th birthday in July surrounded by family and over 95 birthday cards.
A memorial service for Rita will be held at NewBridge on the Charles at the Chapel, inside the Shapiro Community Center at 5000 Great Meadow Road, Dedham, MA at 10:45 am, Sunday, September 18th with interment to follow at Sharon Memorial Park, 50 Dedham St., Sharon, MA.
Please contact the family for details on a Celebration of Rita’s Life that will follow the interment Sunday afternoon. A ZOOM LINK will also be available throughout the day on Sunday if you are unable to attend in person. Contact the family for that information as well.
Rita’s family wants attendees to dress comfortably for this remembrance. Wearing purple, Rita’s favorite color, is encouraged.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in memory of Rita Kahn in support of the care team at NewBridge through Hebrew SeniorLife, Development Department, 1200 Centre Street, Boston, MA 02131 or via hebrewseniorlife.org/TributeGift.
Condolence(1)-
Lorraine I Nicholson says
September 15, 2022 at 12:03 amMy dear friend Rita was a very generous person. She made “giant jello molds” for all special
occasions, left bags of Hilliard’s buttercrunch candy in my mailbox and bought story books
for 2 of my Grandchildren, every time they visited me. But she was most generous with her
interest in my life and the lives of my family. I often brought her photos to view over the
years. And, of course, I shared the pleasure of seeing her family, especially Milo, Charlie and
Iris. I will miss her “always full glass” outlook on life.