Rita Seery Levey

Rita Seery Levey was born on Thanksgiving Day in 1932 in Vailsburg, a section of Newark. She was born to Helen Brill Seery, a homemaker, and Raymond Magnus Seery, a firefighter in Vailsburg. She had two older brothers, Raymond and Jerome, whom she adored.

Rita loved the University of Notre Dame (ND) football since childhood and rarely missed watching a game. She had a picture of ND quarterback and Heisman-trophy winner, Johnny Lujack, in her locker in high school. She graduated from Saint Vincent Academy (SVA) in 1950.

Rita began working at age 17 for a year as a secretary in Ballantine’s Brewery in Newark. For the following ten years, she worked as an executive secretary for Prudential, also in Newark.

Rita married J. Gerald Levey in 1957 and they had four children together during their 32-year marriage.

In 1967, she and her family moved to Livingston. Rita quickly became a leader in the schools as a volunteer. In the some 50 years to follow, she also held leadership positions in her church and community.

Rita was devoted to her parish community at St. Philomena’s Church, where she was a member for 58 years. Rita was a reliable volunteer there as a greeter, money counter, collection taker/usher, member of the Parish Council and Rosary Society, and Eucharistic Minister at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, all of which she considered a blessing.

In 1971, Rita joined the Livingston Women’s Club and was a member for the next 50 years. She was the Sunshine chairperson and Rose Garden chairperson.

Rita was a member of the Livingston Senior Advisory Board and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Ladies Auxiliary Post 2856, where she went to Lyons Veterans Hospital and played bingo with the veterans and served pizza. Rita was also a member of the Parents of Delbarton Graduates. Through all her volunteer work, Rita was a real go-getter, enjoyed a challenge, and lifted everyone’s spirits.

Livingston was lucky to have Rita as one of her residents. She quite literally helped build a community.

Rita enjoyed traveling, especially to where her children were going to school in the U.S. and Europe. She also took several trips with the church, including to the Caribbean and South America.

Rita also loved to bake, especially pumpkin bread for her grandchildren.

Rita leaves behind a wonderful group of friends, who will miss her dearly. She enjoyed attending open rehearsals of classical music and opera, with her friends, at Avery Fisher Hall, at Lincoln Center.

Rita is survived by her four loving children: Kathleen Levey of NJ, Brian (Alison) Levey of IN, Maureen Levey (Roland) Chase of Tampa, Patti Levey of New York City, her very dear three grandsons, Conor (Sarah) Levey, Austin Chase, and Owen Chase, and two beloved great grandchildren, Josie and Patrick Levey.

Donations to St. Philomena Church are most welcome in Rita’s memory.

Her sweet and caring nature will be missed by all.

A Funeral Mass for Rita will be held Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Saint Philomena Roman Catholic Church, 386 S Livingston Ave, Livingston, NJ 07039. Family will begin welcoming the public at 9:15 AM, with a Committal to immediately follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery & Mausoleum, 225 Ridgedale Ave, East Hanover, NJ 07936

Livestreaming will be available through the Saint Philomena webpage the day of service: https://www.stphilomena.org/livestream