Rita H. Crossman

Waltham – Mrs. Rita H. (LaBrack) Crossman, of Waltham died Thursday, August 16, 2018 in Lahey Hospital, Burlington. She was 92.

Rita was born in Worcester on December 29, 1925, the daughter of the late Arthur and Marie (St. Pierre) LaBrack and was raised in Brighton.

After graduating from Saint Columbkille's High School in Brighton she went to work as a secretary at State Street Bank and at Sterling Motors, where she met her future husband, Kenneth A. Crossman. Upon Ken's return home from serving in World War II he and Rita were married on October 18, 1947 at Saint Columbkille's Church in Brighton. In 1954 they built their home on Lincoln Street in Waltham where they would raise their family and live the rest of their lives.

Rita's focus was always on raising her four children and caring for her devoted and loving husband. She and Ken were very active parishioners of Our Lady's Church in Waltham where Rita enjoyed volunteering whenever possible.

In later years Rita and Ken spent many happy winters in Fort Myers Beach, Florida where walking the beach and time spent with friends were daily pastimes. She and Ken enjoyed sixty-five years together before his death on August 23, 2012.

She leaves her children, Kenneth A. Crossman, Jr. (Cara Criscione) of Ipswich, Leonard G. Crossman, Sr. (Judith) of Orange, Nancy E. Sullivan (Timothy) of Chelmsford and Peggy A. Sullivan (Christopher) of Chelmsford; her grandchildren, Julia P. Gallant, Leonard G. Crossman, Jr., Stacey L. Lowe, Bradford S. Sullivan, David P. Sullivan, Teresa M. Sullivan and Christopher J. Sullivan, Jr.; her great-grandchildren, Emmalen Gallant, Malia Crossman, Annabelle Crossman, Evelyn Lowe, Charles Sullivan and Barrett Sullivan and many nieces and nephews.

She was also the sister of the late Clayton LaBrack.

Family and friends will honor and remember Rita's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Monday, August 20th, from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham, where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to Project Purple, PO Box 884, Seymour, CT 06483 [ projectpurple.org ]