Rita M. Hennessy

09/01/1932 - 02/19/2025

Innovative Visionary of Staten Island Retail
Rita M. Hennessy Obituary
Rita Hennessy September 1,1932 - February 19, 2025.
"You came for the greeting cards and crystal.... and stayed for the goodwill and cheer"
Rita Hennessy, founder of Staten Island's iconic Quaker Gift Shop, has died. She was 92. For more than 50 years Rita stood tall at the helm of one of the NYC area's most innovative merchantiles. With a dream and a cardigan, she opened her unique boutique, brightening our worlds by showing us a side of life we might have missed otherwise. Stepping through the inviting Quaker Gift Shop doors you were granted temporary suspension from the everyday cares and woes of the world and were immediately transported to a heavenly haven that was hard to leave. Whether you wanted Hallmark or Waterford you were met with a smile and served up a sensual feast sprinkled with the trademark Hennessy warmth and wit. Frequent and one-time patrons alike were treated to an array of unforgettable sights and smells, fragrant sachets and stunning floral or seascape paintings, paperwhites, and carefully curated gift wares, each captivating and lovely in their own right, and as enchanting as the owner herself.
Passionate about politics, Rita welcomed feisty debate and discussion about world events as well as talk of the simpler times in her WW2 era youth. She loved telling stories about her family "farm" complete with chickens in their yard on Dutchess Avenue. A lover of fashion, food, an avid reader and traveler, she made a mean pot of soup and extolled the virtues of red wine and Russell Stover, devouring the richness and sumptuousness of life in its finest forms. Rita loved to reminisce over tales of her European adventures and her whimsical summers at the Jersey Shore. She was smart, sophisticated, stylish and savvy with a soothing voice. She encompassed all the softer 's' words but could string a slew of sailor-worthy other words together when needed, all while remaining calm and in full command of her composure and poise. She was happiest in her later years living in her beloved LBI home in North Beach. Rita's retirement was long and lucky and she was blessed by good health and the companionship of her best friend, business partner and sister, Constance Hennessy Kane who's clothing boutique, the legendary Lancaster Shop, was conveniently, right next door and connected by a charming pass thru. An intellectually compelling conversationalist, Rita was a strong pulse for her family, friends and neighbors, well loved by her sisters and brother, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and most recently, great-grand niece and nephews. Always generous and kind, "Aunt Rita" added value to every occasion she attended. A life well lived to say the least.
She is survived by her sisters, Patricia Hennessy, Constance Hennessy Kane, and Carol Hennessy Riley; nephews and nieces, Jeffrey Golterman and his wife Linda, Elaine Diahy and her husband Ron, Richard Kane and his wife Susan, Karen Haynie and her husband Bill, Jeanmarie Kane, Michael Kane, Paul Kane and his wife Patricia, Peter Kane and his wife Debbie, Jacqueline Riley Pennington and her husband Scott, Francis Riley, Elizabeth Riley, Thomas Hennessy; great nephews and great nieces Matthew Hennessy, Thomas Hennessy, Jr., Peter Kane, Michael Kane, Steven Diahy and his wife Milly, Greg Golterman, Michael Diahy, Paul Diahy, Michael Kane, Erik Haynie and his wife Melissa, Ryan Kane, Sevran Kane, Remy Kane, Audrey Kane Zaro and her husband Richard, Arabella Riley, Ava Miceli, Julien Miceli along with two great great nephews, Fred Zaro and Arlo Diahy and great great niece Kiera Zaro.
She was predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Sallie Hennessy, brother Robert Hennessy, nephews Christopher Hennessy and Robert Hennessy, great nephew Jordan Riley Levine and her brothers-in-law, Walter Kane and Francis J. Riley.
So sleep well dear Rita. You were loved and will be missed. --Written by Alison Kane.