Obituary of Rita M Lomas

Mrs. Rita Lomas (née Morrone) of Cape May Court House, NJ, passed away on Thursday, December 3, 2020, at the age of 100. Rita, whose personality and presence was far bigger than her not quite 5-foot stature, was born in Philadelphia, PA to her Italian immigrant father Joseph (Giuseppe) Morrone and her mother Josephine Morrone (née Rubertucci). She grew up in West Philadelphia and lived there and then in Brookhaven, PA for most of her life. Rita left high school to attend beauty school and follow her dream of becoming a hairdresser, a career in which she excelled and that she loved. She married and had three sons, and worked two jobs to send them to private, Catholic school. She was well known to her family and friends as a fantastic cook. Her six grandchildren have fond memories of Rita hosting an annual family gathering on Christmas Eve her homemade chocolate-covered peanut butter and buttercream Easter eggs, and the seemingly unlimited variety of Italian cookies she made from scratch. She was a great-grandmother to 18 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandmother to two great-great-grandchildren. Rita was honored earlier this year by the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders for her 100th birthday at a gathering of family and friends at Crest Haven Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center where she lived for the past two years. While at Crest Haven, she remained very active, traveling throughout the facility to visit with her fellow residents and spending a great deal of time outside working in the flower garden. Rita is survived by her sons John (Eileen) Lomas of Phoenixville, PA and Joseph Lomas of Cape May Courthouse; her grandchildren Joseph Lomas, Jr. (Caryssa) of Narberth, PA, Dawn (Christopher) Waddington of Ridley, PA, John (Lisa) Lomas, Jr. of Arlington, VA, Michael (Kathleen) Lomas of Havertown, PA, Jennifer (James) Adams of Garnet Valley, PA and Christopher (Kara) Lomas of Phoenixville, PA; her great-grandchildren; her great-great grandchildren; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Arthur Lomas; her son Arthur Lomas, Jr.; her parents Joseph and Josephine; her sisters Philomena, Lena, Anna, Millie, Theresa, Josephine, and Jennette Morrone; and her brothers John, Michael, and Louis Morrone. Rita will be cremated and her ashes will be scattered at Sunset Lake in Wildwood Crest. The family is grateful for the condolences, but politely declines flowers. If so inclined, please consider a donation to the Cape May County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, 110 Shelter Road, Cape May Court House, NJ, 08210, (609) 465-8923. ​ 