Rita Frances Carey

Mrs. Rita Dunn Carey, of Camptown, PA, passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the Sayre Health Care Center.

Rita was born in Miami, FL, on August 13, 1944, a daughter of the late Thomas and Doris Dunn. Rita spent her early years in Quonset Point, Rhode Island, where her father was on active duty in the Navy, before moving to Winter Park, Florida. Rita attended local schools and graduated from Winter Park High School in 1962. She then went to Trinity College in Burlington, Vermont, and graduated with the class of 1966. Rita was a member of the Triple Key Honor Society and was listed in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

Immediately upon graduation, Rita entered a Peace Corps training program at Occidental College in Eagle Rock, California. It was here that she met a fellow trainee, Tony Carey, and a story that lasted for sixty years had its beginning. They each spent two years in Turkey (Türkiye) teaching English as a foreign language before returning home and being married in June of 1968. They then returned to Turkey and spent the following six years living and teaching at Robert College in Istanbul. It was during this time that their daughter Kate was born.

The Careys returned to the United States in 1974 and in 1977 they joined the faculty at Cardigan Mountain School in Canaan, New Hampshire. Rita taught history and English and as the only full-time female faculty member, she had a strong influence in the community of the all-boys boarding school. She was the editor of the school yearbook and developed a theater program - no small feat on a campus of middle school boys. She was instrumental in establishing a chapter of the National Junior Honor Society and became the only female bus driver at the school. When the Careys left Cardigan in 1988, the school yearbook was dedicated to her. In 1988, the lure of living in Turkey again proved irresistible. The opportunity to be among the founding faculty of the first co-educational boarding school in the country, led to three challenging and rewarding years with Tony, serving as the director of the English Language Division and Rita developing a curriculum for and teaching the intensive English language program. She created the first school yearbook and became the unofficial school photographer.

After returning home, the Careys joined the faculty at Wilbraham & Monson Academy in Wilbraham, Massachusetts. Rita taught English and history and for several years was the Director of Student Activities. She subsequently became an assistant to the Dean of Students and ultimately left the classroom to become the Director of Communications, a position which she held until her retirement in 2012, after twenty years of service at the school.

After her retirement, Tony and Rita moved into the family home in Camptown, where Rita immediately became involved in local affairs. As a member of the Camptown Civic Club, she was instrumental in the writing and publication of the 2017 Camptown history book celebrating the 225-year anniversary of the town. Rita volunteered at the Wyalusing Public Library and the Wyalusing Valley Museum. She served on the board of directors for the Bradford County Historical Society and was active in local politics.

Throughout her life, Rita was proud of her involvement with the Girl Scouts. While in high school, she was a member of the Mariner troop, active in canoeing, camping and exploring local waterways. While in college, she attended the last National Girl Scout Roundup in Idaho in the summer of 1965. She was a scout leader while in college as well as during her time at Robert College and in Canaan, New Hampshire, during the years that her daughter was growing up.

Rita is survived by her husband of 58 years as well as:

Daughter and Son-in-law:

Kathryn Carey-Trull (Steven), East Windsor, CT

Grandchildren:

Alexandra and Cameron Trull, East Windsor, CT

Sister-in-law:

Barbara Dunn, Virginia Beach, VA

Brother-in-law:

James Carey, Franklin, TN

She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Thomas J. Dunn.

Rita’s wish was that donations in her memory be made to the Wyalusing Public Library, PO Box 98, Wyalusing, PA, or the Wyalusing Valley Museum, PO Box 301, Wyalusing, PA 18853.

A Memorial gathering will be held at a later date.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Homer Funeral Home, 83 Grovedale Lane, Wyalusing, PA

To send condolences or sign the e-guestbook, please go to www.homerfuneralhome.com

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