(December 1, 1920-October 28, 2005)

Rita M. Lenney, 84, Canton, died Friday at United Helpers Canton Nursing Home, where she had resided since November.

Mrs. Lenney taught first grade at Parishville-Hopkinton Central School, Parishville, for several years.

She enjoyed knitting and playing bridge.

Born Dec. 1, 1920, in Potsdam, daughter of James and Mary Roach McGinnis, she graduated in 1938 from Norwood High School and in 1942 from Potsdam Normal School. She later received a master’s degree in teaching from Potsdam State Teachers College.

She married Edward M. Lenney on June 28, 1948, at St. Andrew’s Church, Norwood.

Surviving besides her husband are two sons and a daughter-in-law, Edward, Rochester, and Richard and Susan, Scotia; two daughters and their husbands, Karen and Garner Wallace, Ogdensburg, and Ann and Robert Stack, Leonia, N.J.; a brother John McGinnis, Auburn, and six grandchildren.

Two brothers, James and Gerald McGinnis, died before her.

A funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick’s Church, Colton, with the Rev. Raymond J. Moreau officiating. The body will be cremated.

Calling hours will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Garner Funeral Home, Potsdam.

(From the Saturday, October 29, 2005 edition of the Watertown Daily Times, page D5).