Rita passed away at home surrounded by love on April 2, 2022. Born on September 11, 1929 to Alice Brunner in Elizabeth N.J. Loving mother of Darlene McClurg of Carson City NV, James and Anne  Hintenach of Milford, NJ, William and Grace Hintenach of Matawan, NJ, Donna and Dan Pigman of LaPine, OR, Mary Hintenach of Merced, CA, Anna Radcliffe of Bridgewater, NJ,  Joseph and Diana Hintenach of Whippany, NJ, and Ellen and Carlos Duran of Edison, NJ.

Loving grandmother of 18 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. She was Aunt Rita to a multitude of nieces and nephews.

Beloved wife of Julius (Buddy) for 71 years of marital bliss. Rita was preceded in death by her husband Julius “Buddy”, mother – Alice Brunner, sister – Anna, son-in-law, Bruce Radcliffe, grandson Eric Duran,  and brother-in-laws, Paul Turina, Raymond Hintenach and Raymond Pitman, sisters-in-law Elaine Koczur and Dorothy Pitman, .

Rita was a content stay-at-home mom for the first 20 years of marriage, then went to work at “NSB Heaven”, for 6 hours in the evening with 3 friends for several years. Her “dream job” as a secretary was working at the Elizabeth Board of Education for the English and language departments until her retirement in 1994.

Active in the church for many years, Rita loved music and participating in the choral choir of Blessed Sacrament in Elizabeth as well as the choral and Bell choirs of Good Shepherd of Andover. She was her own “Rosary Society”, as her daily routine included her “Readings and Rosary”, joined by her daughters. Afternoons we sang. Even to the day of her death, and at her weakest moments, Rita continued to sing Irish music, church hymns and folk tunes.

Rita enjoyed travelling. She and Dad took the family on camping vacations every year after they sold (and later returned to) the Lake home in Green township. As a member and past president of Green Township Senior Services, Rita for years planned and helped organize Senior trips. Looking through the booklets and brochures continued to give her pleasure, even if she couldn’t attend them. She joined Buddy in his Navy ship reunions every 2 years, each to a different port city.

Rita’s artistic talents included sewing, tatting, word searches, reading and writing poetry, and painting with waters and pencils. Our first memories of her art was doodling on scrap paper and copying matchbook art while talking on the phone. Rita sewed dresses for each occasion, Easter, Christmas, weddings and Communions. Upon retirement she took up quilting with “Buddy”, gifting them as they were completed. She pursued her art by taking local art classes. As a high school cheerleader, she continued cheering for her children through their sports endeavors. Her own exercise adventure included boating and canoeing on the lake, ice skating, and dancing with Lois’s Line Dancers, and watching Ice Skating competitions.

Above all, Rita wants us all to “Be Kind”. No flowers please, but in lieu of flowers, “take someone you love to lunch and be in the moment”.

The viewing will be held on Thursday April 7, 2022 from 2-4 pm & 7-9 pm at Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown NJ 07840.

The funeral will be held on Friday, April 8th, 2022 at Good Shepherd R.C. Church at 11:00 am , 48 Tranquility Road County Route 517, Andover, NJ with Father Martin McDonnell officiating.  Burial will be in Good Shepherd Catholic Cemetery, immediately following the mass.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown NJ 07840.  Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.cochranfuneral.com