Sr. Rita Ponzini CSJP

Sister Rita Ponzini, CSJP aka Sister Mary Eugenia, 89, died peacefully at St. Michael Villa Infirmary on Wednesday, November 27, 2013. She was born on November 5, 1924 in Newark, NJ, to the late Raymond Eugene Ponzini and Anna Marie Gilhooly Ponzini. Sister Rita entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace at St. Michael Villa Novitiate, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, on September 12, 1954 and pronounced final vows there on August 22, 1960. She taught and counseled students at St. Luke’s High School, Ho-Ho-Kus. Sister Rita, MSW, worked with Catholic Charities as Director of Family Services, Hudson County; Homemaker Services, Hudson County; and Sacred Heart Institute of Healing, Caldwell. She founded the House of Peace in Shalom Center, Englewood Cliffs. Sr. Rita was pre-deceased by her brothers, Raymond, Edward, and Robert Louis. She is survived by nieces; Barbara Elward, Jean Panza and Betsy Hanratty and nephew, Edward Ponzini. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 4th. from 2-7 PM at St. Michael Villa, 399 Hudson Terrace, Englewood Cliffs, NJ. Liturgy of Christian Burial will be on Thursday,Dec. 5th. at 9:30 AM in St. Michael Villa Chapel. Arrangements made by Angelo G. Mania Funeral Directors, Rutherford. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, Shalom Center, 399 Hudson Terrace, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632.