Loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother & Great-Grandmother
Rita E. Scheibner, of Nutley, NJ, died peacefully on August 23, 2017. Rita was born, Rita Elizabeth Madigan, in Pittstown, NY on July 14, 1920. She married Richard J. Scheibner, on October 18, 1948 and then moved to Nutley where she and Richard had five children. Rita was a long-term communicant at St. Mary’s Church and an active member in the Rosary Society, Catholic Daughters, and Cana.
Rita was truly the beloved matriarch of the Scheibner family. Raised on a working farm in Pittstown NY, the rigors of farm life made her physically strong and taught her many lessons of living simply with the emphasis on family and a strong work ethic. While she worked as a young woman, her choice as children arrived, was to stay at home while Richard worked, dealing with the challenges of raising their family. Later she would open her home to various grandchildren who lived with her off and on; her own children needing to temporarily return; and even an occasional non-family member in need of a temporary abode. Her door was always open for a chat, a meal or a place to stay. This continued as great grandchildren arrived. She was known for her independent spirit, strong opinions, and caring nature. Rita was lucid at 97 and still living home until the last few months. She will be greatly missed.
Rita is survived by her children: Kenneth Scheibner and his wife Susan O’Neal; Walter Scheibner and his wife Mary; Kathleen Browne; Irene Reilly and her husband Michael; and Maureen O’Neill and her husband John. She had thirteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Rita was preceded by her husband Richard in 1986 and by her siblings Edmund Madigan; Marie Carpenter; Walter Madigan, and Paul Madigan.
The funeral will be Saturday, August 26, 2017 at 9:45 a.m. from the S.W. Brown & Son Funeral Home, 267 Centre St., Nutley.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church in Nutley at 10:45 a.m.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date for immediate family.
Visitors will be received at the funeral home on Friday, August 25, 2017 from 4-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to John A. Bukowski Shelter for Animals, 61 Bukowski Pl., Bloomfield, NJ 07003 or the Nutley Volunteer Emergency & Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 172 Nutley, NJ 07110 would be appreciated.