Rita D (Cimieri) Zerillo

RITA DOLORES ZERILLO (nee Cimieri), 92, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 2, 2019.  Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 6, 1927, Rita was the baby of five children. With lots of family close by, she was raised on big family meals with homemade pasta and close-knit cousins. Rita met her future husband of 65 years, John Joseph Zerillo, Sr., in study hall when she was only 13. He knew he found a gem when her beauty struck him as much as her baseball knowledge.  The two married in 1945, and in the 1960s, they made the move to Cherry Hill, New Jersey. It was in this home that Rita followed family tradition and spent decades making beautiful memories in the kitchen and around a (very long) table with three children of her own and many grandchildren.  While creating delicious Italian meals for her family was a passion, Rita was most loved for her faithfulness and commitment to her family, and to the Lord. She invested her life in that which lasts forever – the people closest to her, and knowing God more every day. She was consistently thankful for the blessings in her life, and had a humble way of seeing God’s goodness even in the trials.

Rita is survived by her three children: Janice DiPietro (Victor), Rita Poppert (David), and John Zerillo, Jr. (Robin). Of all her blessings in life, Rita’s grandchildren were one of her greatest joys: Gina DiPietro, Richard DiPietro, Jenny Walker (Jacob), David Poppert (Katie), John Poppert (Eva), Lindsay McClure (Kenneth), Jamie Gilbert (Douglas), and Lauren Zerillo. In later years, many great-grandchildren arrived, ever increasing Rita’s joy.  Rita’s final days were spent surrounded with her sweet family by her side. She passed away knowing how greatly she would be missed, yet full of anticipation for being with the Lord and her precious husband.

Relatives and friends are invited for visitation on Friday, June 7, 2019 from 10:00am – 12:00pm at Church of St. Joan of Arc, 100 Willow Bend Rd. Marlton, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12 noon. Interment will be in the Locustwood Cemetery in Cherry Hill, NJ.  In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family asks that donations be made to Samaritan Hospice at 5 Eves Drive, Suite 300, Marlton, NJ 08053.  (www.BradleyStow.com) 

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