Obituary of Rita C. Ness

Beloved Wife and Mother Rita C. Ness, 73, of North Caldwell, NJ, passed away peacefully after a long illness on Monday, May 8, 2017, with her children by her side. Rita was born to Alfred and Clara Cimino on July 17, 1943. She grew up in Burlington, NJ and later moved to North Caldwell, where she lived with her family since 1979. She graduated with a bachelor's degree from New Mexico State University and a master's degree from Seton Hall University. She worked as a speech therapist for over 30 years, a profession she adored, with the Parsippany – Troy Hills School District, retiring in 2005. Rita was deeply devoted to her husband and children; her sister and extended family; and her many, many friends. Her group of "Ladybugs" in particular were her "chosen family," and she maintained close friends throughout town, and with her childhood friends, who proclaimed themselves the "La Petites." Rita treasured summers down the shore, hosting holiday parties, and any opportunity to cook her famous Italian dishes. She loved working with children, and made an art out of photographing her dogs for her annual Christmas cards. Most of all she was filled with laughter and love and had an expressive and warm personality that endeared herself to everyone she met. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 45 years, James William Ness in February of this year. Surviving are her devoted children, James Cory Ness and Erin Ness and her husband Chris; sister, Theresa Means and her husband Donald; sister-in law, Deborah Lamont and her husband Alex; nieces and nephews Jennifer, Rebecca, Scott, Geoffrey, and Stephen, twelve grand-nieces and nephews; and grand-dogs Bowie and Molly. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family at the Codey & Jones Funeral Home, 54 Roseland Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006 on Monday, May 15, 2017 from 4-8 pm. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at 11:00 am at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 271 Roseland Avenue, Essex Fells, 07021. The interment will follow at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Caldwell. To extend a condolence or share a memory, please visit www.codeyjonesfh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rita's's memory can be made to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - http://www.jdrf.org) in honor of her great nephew Jack Barnes.