Obituary of Rita Vanbergeijk

Albertha “Rita” Vanbergeijk passed away peacefully with loved ones nearby on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at The Oaks Healthcare Center in Denville, NJ. She had shared 85 years of love and unforgettable memories with family and friends.

Born in Bussum, Holland, Netherlands, to the late Ben and Meip Wibier, Rita was the oldest of nine children, including 6 half siblings, to bless the Wibier household. After graduating High School, she went on to earn her nursing degree. She worked in Holland as a Nurse before marrying her soulmate, Ernst M. Vanbergeijk, in 1962. By 1963, they had taken a boat to the United States and settled initially in New Brunswick, NJ. In 1969, Rita and Ernst moved to Dearborn, Michigan where Ernst took an engineering job with Ford Motor Company. In Dearborn, they raised a family of their own. They worked hard, played hard, traveled all over the world together and had many adventures on this rollercoaster. While living in the U.S., Rita changed careers to become a Travel Agent to expanded her passion for travel. When Ernst retired in 1997, the happy couple retired to Callicoon, NY to enjoy rural life in the Catskills. Her other great love was spending time with her grandchildren. After his passing in 2010, Rita moved to Denville, NJ.

Her legacy will live on in the hearts of her adored daughter and son-in-law, Karen and David D’Adamo; her son, Ernst Vanbergeijk; her cherished grandchildren Daniel and Kees; and many dear nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, May 11th at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 15 Myers Avenue, Denville. The Mass will be live-streamed for those unable to attend. Memorial Donations are being accepted in Rita’s memory by way of www.inmemof.org to ensure receipt of your donation to the American Heart Association. Please leave a condolence, light a candle, and share your favorite memory of Rita here to continue to let her light shine.

*If you were unable to attend Mass, you can watch it anytime via St. Mary's YouTube page, or by clicking here*