Rita M. Correia

March 25, 1946 – March 28, 2025

Rita Mary (Canty) Correia, 79, of Rocky Hill, CT, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2025.

Born in Somerville, MA, Rita was the daughter of the late Gerreta (Clarke) and John J. Canty. Rita graduated from Chelsea Senior High School in 1962. She then attended Bentley College and received her B.A. degree in Accounting and Finance in 1967. Rita was married on September 18, 1968, to Peter J. Correia of Taunton, MA. They had met and fell in love while attending Bentley College. 

During her professional career, she held positions in Accounting, auditing, and income taxes in private industry and CPA firms. In 1972, Rita started her own Accounting and Tax Service when her first child was born. She worked tirelessly to expand that business for 20 years and became certified as an Enrolled Agent to represent clients before the IRS. One of her largest clients offered her a Controller position that she couldn’t refuse. Rita was also the elected part-time Town Treasurer for Derry, NH for over 25 years. That led her to join Rotary International and she eventually became president of the Derry Village Rotary. She was very proud of the fact that she got sworn in at the historical Robert Frost Homestead in Derry, NH. Service became her passion as she worked to help the needy in her hometown and internationally with the Rotary.

Rita was asked by the Principal of her children’s elementary school if she could help set up an After School Program for children at the school. He and Rita wanted to help working parents by giving their children a safe and inexpensive place to get tutoring, play games in the gym, and do other activities. Rita helped set up a separate entity from the school and did all the payroll and monthly financial statements. It was such a success that two other Principals asked her to help in setting up the same program at their schools. 

Rita also was an accomplished baker. She thoroughly enjoyed making cookies and cakes for friends and relatives. When her grandchildren were born, baking became even more important. She made cookies for them often, cakes for their birthdays, and got them all together with their parents to frost and decorate Christmas cookies. Her special no-measure recipe for frosting was legendary. 

In addition, Rita loved to travel with her husband, Peter, and their long-time friends Sylvia and Carl. They visited all 50 states and were in the process of going back to visit places in the states they had not seen before. Their favorite place to visit often was the Marginal Way in Ogunquit, ME. Rita and her husband loved walking the path by the ocean, listening to the ocean waves crashing on the rocks, smelling the salt air, listening to the seagulls chirping, watching the lobster boats and sailboats, and sitting on the benches to relax and enjoy the warmth of a bright sunny day. 

Rita was also an avid Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan. She and her husband often attended Red Sox games while dating.

Rita leaves behind her husband of 56 years, Peter J. Correia, Sr., of Rocky Hill, CT, her son Peter J. Correia, Jr., of East Hampton, CT, her daughter Joy E. Guay of East Longmeadow, MA, daughter-in-law Carla Correia and son-in-law Steven Guay. She was the proud Grammie of four: Reese Guay, Collin Guay, Matthew Correia and Olivia Correia. She enjoyed attending their concerts, theater and gymnastics productions, baseball, basketball and soccer games. Rita loved them and was very proud of all they were accomplishing. She also leaves behind her sister Nancy Rosa of Wakefield, MA. She was predeceased by her sister Joan Ruelle and brother Ronald Canty. Rita also leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends.

A memorial service for the celebration of her life is being planned for a later Spring date. In lieu of flowers, Rita’s family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Shriners Hospital for Children in Rita’s honor.