Rita Helene Kahn of Dedham MA, long-time resident of Sharon MA, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2022 at 95 years of age. Devoted wife of the late Leon Kahn. Loving mother of Robert (Mary) of Danvers MA and Larry (Amy) of Orlando FL. Nana Rita was the proud grandmother of Rachel, Emily, and David; and great-grandmother of Milo, Charlie, and Iris. Beloved daughter of Lee and Harry Levinson as well as daughter-in-law to Rose and Hyman Kahn. Delighted to be 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. 141 Facebook friends. Countless more in real life.
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 multi-tasker before the word was coined, famous for making stops along the way.
Academically and professionally those stops included Newton High School (before there were two of them), Boston University (BS); Northeastern University (RRA) and a long career in the Medical Records Dept at Norwood Hospital.
Personal stops included the beaches of Lake Massapoag, Nantasket, and Chatham, ice cream at Crescent Ridge, scallion pancakes at Alice’s Mandarin Taste, lobster rolls at Legal’s, rugelach at 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 service to remember Rita will be held at Newbridge on the Charles, 7000 Great Meadow Road in Dedham, Sunday, September 18, 2022 with interment to follow at Sharon Memorial Park. Details for a celebration of Rita’s life will follow.
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.
