Obituaries

Rita Maria Bank passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Sunday November 26, 2023, just one day short of her 64th birthday.  

Rita was a hospice nurse for many years, offering care and kindness to her many patients throughout out her career which, she found immensely rewarding and fulfilling.  Rita worked for a period of time for the Visiting Nurses Association of New Jersey who gave her the same comfort in her time of need.

Rita was born in Hungary and went back numerous times in recent years to visit family. Rita very much enjoyed traveling, especially cruises with her family. Besides travel, Rita was an excellent ballroom dancer, who put on a number of award-winning showcases over the years. Rita was known as somewhat of a fashionista, constantly receiving compliments on her attire wherever she went.  Rita relocated to The Jersey Shore nearly 20 years ago only to fall in love with it, which soon became her permanent home enjoying walks along the beach with its beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

Rita is survived by her two children, their spouses and four grandchildren who will miss her dearly: Her daughter Lilla and son-in-law Tom, grandchildren William and Christopher.  Her son Norbert and daughter-in-law Starr, grandchildren Sklya and SoLuna.  Rita absolutely adored her grandchildren and looked forward to nightly zoom calls with them. Rita is also survived by her long-time companion and partner Gary Ambessi.

Memorial Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 3, 2023 from 2-4 pm at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701. Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, December 4, 2023 at 11 am at St. Gabriel’s Historic Church, 549 Newman Springs Rd, Marlboro, NJ 07746. Interment will follow Mass at St. Gabriel’s Mausoleum, Marlboro, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital https://www.stjude.org/donate or The American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/donate.html in honor of Rita.