Mrs. Rita Mackey

August 4, 2015

On August 4, 2015, Mrs. Rita Marie (Gorman) Mackey died peacefully at Berkshire Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family. Born on August 24, 1929, at St. Luke's Hospital in Pittsfield to Mary Anna (Leahy) and Francis Raymond Gorman, Mrs. Mackey graduated from Pittsfield High School before attending Berkshire Business School. While working at the Gas Company in Park Square in Pittsfield, she met the love of her life, the late Robert William Mackey, Sr., who died on July 4, 2014. She and Mr. Mackey were married for 60 wonderful years, had five children and eight grandchildren and enjoyed love, laughter and family together. Mrs. Mackey worked in the housekeeping department at Berkshire Medical Center in the 1970s and 1980s and always spoke fondly of her years and friends she made there. She regularly attended the annual BMC luncheon and was so pleased to see old friends during visits to the hospital. She later volunteered and then worked at Valley View Nursing Home Lenox, where she visited with residents, wrote letters and could often be heard playing the piano and singing old tunes with groups in the recreation area. She is survived by her children, Lawrence F. Mackey and his wife, Diane of Pittsfield; Kathleen M. Koscher and her husband, Charles, of Lenox; her son, Robert W. Mackey, Jr., and his wife, Holly of Hinsdale; Michele S. Dillon and Rick Cimini of Pittsfield and Michael J. Mackey and Amy Sherwood of Alexandria, VA; eight grandchildren, of whom she was very proud; Silas and Caleb Mackey; Eric Koscher; Brian, Devin and Colin Mackey; and Emily and Erin Dillon; her brother-in-law, John Mackey (predeceased by his wife, the late Shirley Mackey) of Fredericksburg, VA; her sisters-in-law, Eleanor Carroll (predeceased by her husband, the late William Carroll) of Chicopee, and Ruth Salvatore (predeceased by her husband, the late Anthony Salvatore) of Lenox; and her first cousins Eileen Myers of Pittsfield, Jack Leahy of Dalton, Ruth Lomhoff of Portland, Oregon, Marge Johnson of San Antonio, Texas and Ann Hinman of Lenox, MA; a large number of cherished cousins, nieces and nephews; many friends from far and wide, family friend and caregiver Patty Verdi of Pittsfield, and her special friend and guardian angel, Veronica Bedu Addo of Albany, NY. Mrs. Mackey led a very active life and was a communicant, along with her husband, of St. Ann Parish in Lenox; her faith always being important to her. She was a member of the Irish-American Club and, along with her husband, were named Irish People of the Year in 2011. She and her husband spent 60 years dancing together, including enjoying Irish Dancing lessons. One could frequently find them cheering their grandchildren at events throughout Berkshire County, often changing sides at half time. An avid Red Sox fan, she tuned into NESN almost daily from her favorite chair and could rival Remy with her knowledge of her team. She attended lunches and exercise groups at the Community Center in Lenox and was an active participant in the Cardiac Rehab Program at BMC in Pittsfield. She loved playing the piano and sang all of her life, often entertaining everyone at family gatherings with old tunes. She loved keeping in touch with family and friends and wrote letters and made telephone calls often. Among her favorite places to visit were Cape Cod, sites throughout her beloved Berkshire County and her Grandmother's homeland of Ireland. FUNERAL NOTICE: Calling hours for Mrs. Mackey will be at ROCHE FUNERAL HOME in Lenox on Friday, August 7, from 4 to 7 p.m. Mrs. Mackey's funeral will be held on Saturday, August 8, at 10 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Ann's Church, celebrated by the Reverend Christopher J. Waitekus. Burial will follow at St. Ann's Cemetery. On Mrs. Mackey's behalf, the family would like to express its deepest appreciation to the entire 5 West team at Berkshire Medical Center and the emergency room and specialists, including Dr. Octavian Adam and Dr. Teresa Menendez, at BMC and at Laurel Lake Rehabilitation Center. The family expresses its deepest affection for Dr. Daniel Cohen and his team at Suburban Medical Center of Lee and will always be grateful to her Pastor, Father C.J. Waitekus, for all of his kindness and compassion. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Ann Parish of Lenox or to Friends of Cardiac Rehab of Pittsfield, MA, in Mrs. Mackey's name in care of the Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main Street, Lenox, MA, 01240.