Catherine F. “Peter” Rivers, age 92, a lifelong resident of Dalton and the matriarch of her large and loving family, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026.Born on October 16, 1933, she was the twelft

Catherine F. “Peter” Rivers, age 92, a lifelong resident of Dalton and the matriarch of her large and loving family, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026.Born on October 16, 1933, she was the twelfth of thirteen children of the late Fred and Mary McKeon Murray. She was educated in the local schools and was a 1951 graduate of Dalton High School. Out of high school, Peter went on to work and married James L. Rivers on February 5, 1955. She cherished her role as a homemaker and raised her 5 children with pride. Once her children started school, Mrs. Rivers went to work for Wilson Electric for 27 years. Catherine was a lifelong communicant of St. Agnes Parish.Catherine and James were avid travelers. They visited Aruba and looked forward to their annual family trips to Cape Cod. Proud to tell anyone who asked (or didn’t) of her 99% Irish heritage, she cherished her trips to Ireland most. In their later years, the couple led many trips across the country for seniors in Berkshire County. They were married for 56 happy years.Peter loved the beach and was an avid Wahconah sports fan. She looked forward to cheering on her children and grandchildren as they played sports and hardly missed one of their games.An advocate for others, Mrs. Rivers enjoyed the time she spent volunteering on the boards for the friends of the Dalton Senior Center and the Dalton Public Library. She truly loved the Town of Dalton and enjoyed working the polls, and was proud to be a lifelong Democrat. She was a talented seamstress and quilter, and enjoyed playing Bridge, Bunco and other card games. Peter was a wonderful cook and great baker. Her family will fondly remember her famous blueberry muffins and legendary meatballs.She was a force to be reckoned with-sharp as a whip, funny, stubborn, kind, and always had a story to tell.The loss of our mother, grandmother, GG, friend, and sister will leave a huge hole in our hearts. We can only hope to carry on her legacy through the things she loved-finding a good bargain, eating a delicious meal, and never missing a birthday or holiday.Mrs. Rivers is survived by her five children: Susan Licalzi (Peter) of Texas, Kathleen Millard of Dalton, Joanne Dowling of Hinsdale, J. Michael Rivers (Jo Ann) of Dalton, and Mary Rivers Cherry (Michael) of Dalton. She also leaves sixteen grandchildren, twenty three great grandchildren with two more on the way, her sister Joan Brewer, her brothers-in-law Richard Rivers (Paula) and Robert Rivers, and her sisters-in-law Lois Murray and Evelyn Rivers.In addition to her beloved husband, Peter was predeceased by four brothers and seven sisters and her son-in-law, Francis Millard.SERVICES: Calling Hours at the Dery-Foley Funeral Home in Dalton will be Wednesday, June 10, 2026 from 4-7PM. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be the following morning, June 11, 2026 at St. Agnes Parish beginning at 11AM. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made payable to “Friends of the Dalton Public Library” or “Friends of the Dalton Senior Center” and mailed to the funeral home at 890 E. Main St. Dalton, MA 01226.