Rita Joann Gross (Hanley) of Oakhurst, formerly of Irvington, NJ passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at the age of 87.
Rita was born on July 23, 1930 in Newark. She was a graduate of Irvington High School and she married her husband, William, on May 3, 1952 in Irvington. Her career included positions at Prudential, RCA and Citibank, however her passion and focus were her family. Her and William relocated to Oakhurst in 1960 to raise their family at the Jersey Shore.
Rita was a parishioner of St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church in Long Branch and a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society. She was an avid fan of the New York Giants and enjoyed reading, spending time at the beach, shopping, attending Broadway shows and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Rita will be remembered by her family and friends for her kindness, strength and sense of humor.
Rita is survived by her children, Pamela MacCary (Gross) and husband Bob of Ocean; William Gross and wife Debbie of Tinton Falls; Patricia Stengel (Gross) of Ocean; Barbara Bystrick (Gross) and husband Len Bystrick (deceased) of Mt. Royal; Robyn Horner (Gross) and husband Bert of Ocean; Scott Gross of Tinton Falls; 7 grandchildren, Christopher Gross; Shane MacCary; Lauryn, Matthew and Brendan Stengel; Sarah and Matthew Gross; and 2 great-granddaughters, Mikayla and Lilyana Gross. She is preceded in death by her husband, William Gross; sons, John and Robert Gross; mother, Mae Hanley and brother Thomas Hanley.
Visitation is from 4-8 pm on Tuesday at the Fiore Funeral Home, 236 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, Ocean Township. A Funeral Mass will be offered at 11am at St. Michael’s Church, 800 Ocean Avenue, West End, Long Branch on Wednesday. She will be laid to rest at Woodbine Cemetery & Mausoleum in Oceanport immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in her memory to her daughter, Robyn Horner, to assist in her continuing treatment for her recent kidney transplant. Donations can be sent to 8 Timber Drive Ocean, NJ 07712. For condolences, please visit www.fiorefuneralhomes.com.