Rita S. Cagno

She was born in 1938 in Newark, New Jersey where she lived with her close-knit family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her life was changed forever at the age of 14 when she met Aurelio “Ray” Cagno whom she married in 1958.

They lived in Newark, East Orange, and Livingston before settling in Toms River in 1976 to raise their four sons.

Rita held many positions in bookkeeping and administrative work, most recently at the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs and the Ocean County Vocational and Technical School and made close friends wherever she worked.

Rita is predeceased by her parents Pauline Costello Monteiro and Emmanuel Monteiro, and her dear siblings, Diolinda Parsick, Manuel Monteiro, and Dolores Monteiro, and her daughter-in-law Deserea Cagno.

Rita was the family matriarch in the truest sense of the word. She never failed to dispense her wisdom (whether it was wanted or not!). She is survived by her husband, Aurelio “Ray” Cagno; her four sons and their families – Raymond A. Cagno, Las Vegas, NV; Peter and his wife Nancy, Toms River, NJ; Dr. Joseph Cagno and his wife Dr. Jennifer Rakeman, Sea Cliff, NY; Paul A. Cagno, Esq. and his wife Nancy, Red Bank, NJ; and her loving brother Joseph and his wife Betty Monteiro of Las Vegas, NV, as well as many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

As much as she cherished her 4 boys, her 9 grandchildren (and new great grandson) were the true lights of her life, and there was much debate about who was the most favorite – Peter A. Cagno and his wife Caitlin; Natalie Stryker, her husband Chandler and their newborn son Harrison; Benjamin H. Cagno; Sophia G. Cagno; Lily G. Cagno; Olivia R. Cagno; Lucas A. Cagno; Aurelio S. Cagno; and Lucia P. Cagno.

Nonni was famous for her chicken cutlets, eggplant parm, S-cookies, and Sunday gravy with meatballs. She wasn’t happy unless everyone had something to eat or drink; and if you were ever fresh – the wooden spoon was not far away!

She leaves a void beyond measure, but we will honor her memory and keep alive her many traditions and meals. In lieu of flowers please make any donations to St Jude's Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105, www.stjude.org