Rita M. Cooney

Rita M. Cooney (Degnan), age 91, died on November 24, 2014 surrounded by her 5 children. Rita was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY where she met her loving husband Peter, who passed away in 1984. They shared 36 wonderful years together. Rita loved children and devoted herself to making a beautiful home for her family. Throughout her life, Rita worked as a bookkeeper and typist for United American Metal, Prudential Insurance Company and Midway Brewery until her retirement in 1990. Rita was also an avid reader and devoted NY Mets fan. Pete and Rita enjoyed life long friendships that included weekly card games. Rita moved to NJ in 1996. She became a member of St. Joseph Parish and a volunteer at Angels Attic Thrift Store in Carlstadt. There she made many cherished friends. The Attic and its mission to help the poor were important to her. Rita is survived by her heartbroken children, Peter & his wife Debbie, Dr. Margaret Cooney-Souders and her ex Pete, Gerard Cooney & his wife Lori, Kathy Cooney-Grillo & her husband Joe, and Daniel Cooney & his wife Anne. She is also survived by her grandchildren Caitlin, Megan, Vivien, Corey, Jeremy, Kevin, Kelly & James as well as her much beloved pet Jinjo. Rita also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral Monday 8:30 AM from the Ippolito-Stellato Funeral Home, 425 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst. Funeral Mass 9:30 AM St. Joseph R.C. Church, East Rutherford. Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Maspeth, Queens, New York. Friends will be received Saturday 2-4 & 7-9 PM and Sunday 2-6 PM. In lieu of flowers, monetary donations can be made to Angels Attic, 301A Hoboken Road, Carlstadt NJ 07072.