Rita Camille Bonin

Rita Camille Bonin

August 22, 1932 – September 15, 2020

Beloved wife, mother and grandmother.  Barnegat resident, lived and loved her life in Maplewood, NJ.

Rita Camille Bonin, 88, of Barnegat NJ entered eternal life with God on September 15, 2020.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend her visitation on Friday, September 18, 2020 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm at the Barnegat Funeral Home, 841 West Bay Ave., Barnegat NJ 08005.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at 12:00 pm at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 747 West Bay Ave., Barnegat, NJ 08005.

Rita was born in Newark NJ to James and Leonora Camille on August 22, 1932.  She was raised and lived most of her life in Maplewood NJ where she was a proud graduate of Columbia High School.  In 1959 she married the love of her life, Joseph Bonin, and they celebrated over 60 years of marriage before her passing.  Rita and Joseph had three children:  Christopher Sr., Lisa, and Gregory, whom they showered with more love and support than could be imagined.

Rita started her career in the late 1960’s as a fashion teacher.at what would become the Berkeley College in NJ.  Through her time at Berkeley she grew professionally to become a teacher of many disciplines, ultimately rising to become Dean of Students.  She retired in 2004 as the Director of Alumni Affairs.  She relished in her role of mentoring young women and men, choosing each interaction as an opportunity to raising up each student to reach their maximum potential.  Even after being retired her former colleagues and students would reach out to Rita in friendship through the years.  She was extremely proud of her time at Berkeley and was an integral part of its professional growth from a fashion school to a respected business college.  These talents continued in retirement, where she organized and moderated several successful charity fashion shows that benefitted the Southern Ocean County Hospital Auxiliary.

Rita would glide into a room and immediately illuminate it with her presence.  A true renaissance woman, she balanced her career and support to her community while remaining fiercely dedicated to her family and played a loving, active, and supporting role in their lives. She was an inspiration to everyone who met her as she never stopped improving herself or being active in her cherished Maplewood community.  While raising her family and building her career she earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Kean University.  As a lifelong member of St. Joseph’s Church in Maplewood, Rita and Joe were active in their faith taking on multiple roles including Lector and co-trustees of the Parish Council.  She continued to serve as a lector at St. Mary’s parish in Barnegat when they relocated.  She was a member and past president of the Maplewood Women’s Club, PTA, UNICO and numerous civic organizations where she made many cherished lifelong friends and lasting impacts on the community. 

Rita was a woman of many accomplishments, but none compared to the vast amount of love she had for her husband, children, grandchildren and her dear nieces and nephews (who she loved as if they were her own children).  She was an endless source of love and support to all especially in their time of need.  Never hesitating to offer her thoughts and words of encouragement, Rita was someone that her family relied on to listen and make them feel better.  She adored her grandchildren and smiled just at the mention of their names.  She treasured spending time with them, just listening and taking interest in every accomplishment they made no matter how minor it may have been. 

Rita was predeceased by her parents, James and Leonora Camille, and her wonderful sisters Anne Bippus and Marie Egidio.  She is survived by her devoted husband Joseph, her children Christopher Sr. and his partner Tonianne Bongiovanni, Lisa and her wife Trudy Garrett, Gregory and his wife Elaine, and her grandchildren Joseph, Nicole, Jessica and Christopher Jr., along with her many loving nieces, nephews, and even several grand- and great-nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either of Rita’s favorite charities: 

The Southern Ocean Medical Center Foundation ( https://tinyurl.com/y5exyr2n )
Family Promise of Barnegat (https://fpsocstaff.wixsite.com/familypromisesoc/donate).

Her legacy of Love, Caring, Compassion and Fun lives on in every person Rita has touched

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