Rita (Baksa) Rugel, 85, of Oak Ridge, passed away on May 14, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Garfield, she and her family lived in Clifton, then Butler, before she and her husband retired to Oak Ridge. Rita was an active parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Oak Ridge. She made many friendships through the church and the Jefferson Seniors. An avid reader, Rita belonged to the Jefferson Township Library Book Club. Rita had a "green thumb" and enjoyed working in her flower and vegetable gardens. More recently, Rita enjoyed visits with her treasured neighbors. Her greatest joy was spending time with her loving family.

Beloved wife of Matthew, who passed away in 2020. Devoted mother of Donna Coco and her husband, John, of Wantage, MaryAnn McLaughlin and her husband, William, of Hewitt, Rita Marzocca and her husband, John, of Oak Ridge, Matthew Rugel and his wife, Mary Ann, of Wayne, Barbara Rodney and her husband, Joseph, of Sparta, Paul Rugel, of Oak Ridge, and Patricia LaPenter and her husband,
Thomas, of South Carolina. Loving grandmother of William and his wife Devin McLaughlin, Melissa and her husband Matthew Kida, Christine Coco, the late Paul Rugel, Michael Rodney, Jonathan Rodney, Alexa Marzocca, Matthew Rugel, John and his wife Samantha Marzocca, Kellie McLaughlin, Marisa Rugel, and Thomas LaPenter. Cherished great-grandmother of Mackenzie Kida. Dear sister of the late Victor Baksa
and his wife Joanne, and Richard Baksa and his wife Christina.

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, May 25, 2023, 10:00AM, at St. Thomas the Apostle RC Church, 5635 Berkshire Valley Rd., Oak Ridge. Interment at Calvary Cemetery, Paterson. In lieu of flowers, donations made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.StJude.org in memory of Rita, would be greatly appreciated.