Kathleen “Rita” (Lohan) Lonergan, 90, of the Hungry Hill Section of Springfield, passed away on Monday, September 16, 2019 surrounded by her loving family. On May 5, 1929, Rita was born to Irish immigrants the late Thomas and Kathleen (Mullarkey) Lohan. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School and worked for the Springfield newspapers until she started her family with Kevin, her husband of 45 years and raised their family with love and joy. Rita enjoyed baking, painting, knitting and crocheting, and beach vacations on the Connecticut shore and Cape Cod with her family. She travelled the world with her friends and loved educating herself of new cultures and traditions. Rita was a member of the Catholic Women’s Club and the former Our Lady of Hope Guild and was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Springfield. In addition to her parents, she was also predeceased by her beloved husband, Kevin T. Lonergan in 2001, a son-in-law, Brian M. Quirk; her sister, Marie “Nancy” Brown; and her brother, Rev. Thomas Lohan. Kathleen is survived by her four devoted children, Kevin T. Lonergan and his partner Terri Theroux, Kathy Lonergan Fehily and her husband Seamus, and Mary Quirk, all of Longmeadow, and Stephen Lonergan and his fiancé Sallie Schneider of Springfield; six cherished grandchildren, Danny, Patrick, and Kateri Quirk, Maggie and Frances Lonergan, and Killian Lonergan; as well as many nieces and nephews. She also leaves her faithful dog and friend Frasier, who loved and protected her to the end. The Lonergan family would like to express their deepest gratitude and thanks for the loving care their mother received from the Beacon Hospice staff, the Atrium staff of Agawam, as well as her previous stay at Monastery Heights of West Springfield. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held Friday morning at 9:00 AM in Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, with Rites of Committal at St. Michael’s Cemetery, both in Springfield. Family and friends will gather and remember Rita on Thursday, September 19, 2019 from 4-7 PM at the Byron Keenan Funeral Home and Cremation Tribute Center, 1858 Allen Street, Springfield. Memorial contributions in Rita’s name may be directed to either the Shriners Hospital for Children or the Perkins School for the Blind. Please visit www.byronkeenan.com