Rita Milson

Rita Marie Milson, 85, of Washington, NJ passed away on Friday, December 4, 2015 peacefully at home with her family and caregiver by her side. She was born on August 27, 1930 in Elizabeth, NJ to Walter J. and Isabelle (Gryesiak) Ruszczyk. Rita was a graduate of Washington High School, Class of 1948, and attended two years at St. Elizabeth’s College in Convent Station, NJ. For the next 20 years, she dedicated her time to raising her family and working at the family owned Old Homestead Bakery. Rita later attended Trenton State College receiving a Bachelor of Science in 1973, a Master of Education in 1982, and was just four credits shy of her Doctorate. Teaching was her passion. She taught for 30 years at Washington Memorial School. Her goal was to offer her students all the support they needed, both academically and emotionally. To her, every student was important, unique, and special. Upon her retirement, at age 72, Rita tutored elementary and high school students, and for two years, taught at St. Joseph’s Academy in Washington. Rita was a member of the NEA, NJEA, NJREA, and Washington Library Board. She participated and excelled in various professional development programs including Project T.E.A.C.H. and T.E.T.. Cherished memories of time spent with her students filled her passing years with true joy! Rita was a devout Catholic and a lifelong parishioner of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. She was recently enrolled as a 50 year member in the Catholic Daughters of America. In her spare time, she enjoyed Bingo, going to the casino, playing cards with friends, luncheons, joint family vacations to Cape May, attending and having yard sales, and shopping with her daughter, Rita. Rita is survived by her loving children, James W. Milson and wife Linda, and Rita Heinrich and companion David Parfrey, as well as many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband James A. Milson, a son-in-law Brian Heinrich, a sister Dorothy Wiseburn, and two brothers Edward Ruszczyk Sr. and Walter Ruszczyk Jr. Family and friends may visit on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 from 3:00 PM-7:00 PM at the Warren Hills Memorial Home, 234 W. Washington Avenue, Washington, NJ 07882. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow at the Montana Mountain Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church 200 West Carlton Ave., Washington, NJ 07882 or Washington Fire Dept 100 Belvidere Ave., Washington, NJ 07882.