Rita G. DiBona

(nee Russo) On March 30, 2025, age 96 died peacefully at home.  Of Turnersville.  Beloved wife of the late Anthony.  Devoted mother of Lawrence DiBona (Maryann), Anthony DiBona, Jr. (Ann Marie), Phyllis Jones (Bill) and Lorrie Jones (Jeff).  Devoted grandmother of Antonia (Rohit), Lauren (Shawn), David, Nicole, Gregory, Daniel, Stephen, Matthew (Monica), and Michaela (Rory).  Loving great-grandmother of Nile, Mason, Nolan and Elena.  She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, in 1929 at the beginning of the Great Depression, the youngest of six children, Rita grew up in West Philadelphia and graduated from West Catholic Girls’ High School.  She met Anthony (Tony) in 1950, and it was love at first sight.  They were married in 1954 while Tony was on leave from the service.  They enjoyed 68 wonderful years together.  The family grew with the addition of 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.  Rita was a loving and caring wife, mother, mother-in-law, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother always ready with a kiss, a hug, and motherly advice. Over the years, Rita worked as a manager in the loan department of a bank, a proofreader for a local newspaper, and a first grade CCD teacher for many years.  How she adored those little children!

A true Italian mother, Rita was an artist in the kitchen!  Her passion was cooking, and how she enjoyed feeding everyone.  No one ever left her house hungry! Full of fun and full of life, Rita loved to sing, dance, especially the jitterbug and fox trot with Tony, visit the casinos with friends, and a comedienne in her own right, she loved to tell jokes.  She even did several stand-up routines for the condo community in Florida.  Rita had many interests over the years. An avid reader, she learned so much about nutrition and antiques. She was a master of words: writing poems for special occasions, completing the Inquirer crossword puzzle every week, and winning every Scrabble game she ever played.  She would play every day if she could!

In 1986, Rita and Tony purchased a shore house in Margate—a dream come true!  How the grandchildren loved it there!  Upon Tony’s retirement, they began going to Florida and spent 20 winters there with a terrific group of friends and family.

Rita will be sadly missed by all who knew her and could not help but love her.

Family and friends are invited to attend her viewing Friday 9:00-10:45 AM at St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church, 176 Stagecoach Road, Sicklerville, NJ 08081.  Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 AM.  Interment, Gloucester County Veterans Cemetery, Williamstown.

In honor of Rita’s life, in lieu of flowers or other acts of sympathy, her family would encourage donations to St. Charles Borromeo Church at the address above or the American Heart Association.

“A Life Well Lived Is Worth Remembering”