Obituary of Rita C. Lagomarsino

Rita C. Lagomarsino passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at Sunrise Assisted Living of Morris Plains. She had shared 88 years of unconditional love, laughter, and amazing memories with family and friends.

Born and raised in Union City to the late Victor and Rose Cademartori, she was one of two children to bless their household. After graduating High School, she went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Barnard University, where she graduated with high honors as Valedictorian in 1955. Rita then married her soulmate and best friend, Anthony J. Lagomarsino, in 1956 and together they eventually settled into Oradell with the beginnings of a family of their own. Once her children were grown, she continued to further her education and became a Registered Nurse, after many long hours and study groups, with her children’s help, she graduated from William Paterson University in the early 1980’s. Not only was Rita a dedicated and devoted wife, she was an attentive and caring mother, a perennial student of life, and a compassionate nurse. Her family was her first priority in life, but she adored all children and valued their innocence and thirst for knowledge. She was a Girl Scout Leader, and active member of St. Jude Parish where she organized Tricky Tray events, amongst other things, and was President of the Rosary Altar Society.

Rita was also a talented oil painter and a total card shark; she loved to play spades and had the most inventive words when playing scrabble. She was also a great chef and passed on many recipes to her children that will continue to be made throughout the generations. An admirable gardener, Rita had quite the green thumb. She was also a hard worker. Rita started off her career at Hackensack University Medical Center before working her way up to the Director of Nursing at Valley Nursing Home in Pascack Valley. She truly was one of a kind and will be sorely missed. We take comfort in knowing she is now reunited with her beloved husband, Anthony, and her son, Andrew.

She leaves a lifetime of joyful memories to her adored children, Dr. Joan Lagomarsino and her husband Bruce Schoneman, Tony Lagomarsino, Steven Lagomarsino and his wife Kerry, Robert Lagomarsino and his wife Angela, and Anne Lagomarsino; her cherished grandchildren, Jennifer Harvey, Jessica, Emily, and Amy Lagomarsino, Brian and Jason Schoneman, and Alexis and Giovanna Lagomarsino; her treasured great-grandchildren, Evan Harvey, Mia, Jemma, Cora, Trevor, and Kaylyn Schoneman; and many other extended family and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, May 10^th at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 15 Myers Avenue, Denville. Public Walkthrough Visitation will take place prior to Mass from 8:45 – 9:45 am at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville. Memorial Donations are being accepted in Rita’s memory to the Community Food Bank of NJ by way of www.inmemof.org to ensure your donation is acknowledged by her family. Please leave a condolence, light a candle, and share your favorite memory of Rita here to continue to celebrate the incredible life she endowed to us.

***For those unable to attend Mass, it will be live-streamed via St. Mary's website or YouTube page by clicking here.***