Rita M. (O’Reilly) Leach

Rita M. (O'Reilly) Leach

Family & friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, May 11th, 2012 in the Immaculate Conception Church, Revere (Corner of Beach St. & Winthrop Ave.) for Rita M. (O’Reilly) Leach, beginning at 10 a.m. & followed by a funeral mass in the Immaculate Conception Church at 12 Noon.  Mrs. Leach died following a long illness on Tuesday, May 8th at her Winthrop home, at 92 years.  Born & raised in East Boston, she came to live in Revere as a young girl & was an alumna of Revere High School, Class of 1938, with high honors.  She was invited to enroll at the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, graduating with honors in piano.  For many, many years, she played privately for social gatherings, political functions, weddings, funerals, etc.  Rita had the personality of a true entertainer, vivacious, attractive, & out-going.  While at the New England Conservatory of Music, she worked for the former rather upscale Thompson’s Spa of the Back Bay, where she met many celebrities & politicians.  She was the Head Hostess there, and at the Boston To New York Railroad, Executive Dining Car.  Her music career was close to her heart & in spite of failing health for over 17 years, she played the piano almost daily.  She was a past member of the Ladies Emblem Club of the Revere Elks #1171, and also a former organizer for the Endicott “Chub” Peabody campaign.  She had an affection for the ocean and her local beach, Pebble Beach a.k.a. Rocky Beach in Beachmont, which lead to her being an instrumental figure in the fight to keep the beach open to local residents.  She was the widow of Revere Police Sergeant Edward B. Leach, who passed in September of 1966.  She is the cherished mother of: Katherine C. “Cindy” Leach of Winthrop, her devoted caregiver for the past 17 years, Candace L. “Candy” Pioppi & her husband Frank C. Pioppi of Winthrop, Kevin & Daniel Leach of Boston, & the late Attorney Edward J. Leach, who was also a former Revere Patrolman.  She is the devoted Grandmother to: Jason E. Leach of Reading, Edward G. Leach of Georgetown, & Justin F. & James E. Pioppi both of Winthrop.  She was the Sister to the late: Dr. Denis O’Reilly, Charles O’Reilly, & Eileen Gibbon.  She was the Dear Aunt of: Faith O’Reilly of France, Gerard Gibbon of England, Paul O’Reilly & his wife Linda, Denise Hurley & her husband Owen, all of Salem, New Hampshire, & Michael O’Reilly of Revere.  Interment will be in Puritan Lawn Memorial Cemetery, West Peabody.  Although she spent most of her life in Revere, she spent the last 12 years in Winthrop.  Remembrances may be made to your favorite charity.

Services

Visiting Hours

Friday, May 11th, 2012 from 10 – 11:45 a.m. in the Immaculate Conception Church, Revere.

Funeral Mass

Friday, May 11th, 2012 at 12 Noon in the Immaculate Conception Church, Revere.

Interment

Puritan Lawn Memorial Cemetery, West Peabody.

Remembrances may be made to your favorite charity.