Rita M. Marano

Our mother Rita (Tahan) Marano, of Asbury Park, NJ, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, September 20, 2024 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ at the age of 93. Born on May 10, 1931 to Nora and Tofic Tahan of Union City, NJ, she married Frank Marano, the love of her life and they shared 54 years together until Frank's passing in 2009. They summered in Asbury Park and then moved there in 1968 where they raised their two daughters, Denise Nadel and Laura Mastorio
Rita was a trend setter in fashion and loved to dress to the nines. Her and husband Frank were award winning ballroom dancers back in the 1950's and they continued to take the dance floor at every family event and function. A civil servant working for the City of Asbury Park in the Beach Department and as Secretary to the City Manager, she remained active in city politics until her passing.
After her years at the City, she opened the Kingsley Deli on Kingsley Street in Asbury Park, NJ. This was Rita's true calling. Rita's Kingsley Deli was a local meeting place where everyone was welcome for 22 years. In 2007 she retired and focused much of her life on family and the community.
Rita is survived by her daughters, Denise Nadel of Asbury Park and Laura Mastorio and her husband Frank of Morganville, her sister Louise Palumbo and husband Don of Lake Park, FL, beloved grandchildren Daniel and Lauren Nadel, Joseph Sigmund, Rachael Sollazzo and her husband Thomas and Andrew Sigmund, a great granddaughter due to be born in November, her beloved sisters-in-law, Marion Tahan of Claremont, CA and Roseann Marano of Tinton Falls and many beloved nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Frank Marano, her parents Tofic and Nora Tahan of Asbury Park and her brother Essad Tahan of Claremont, CA.
Our mom was a strong woman who would always tell you the truth. She was full of wisdom, a counselor to many, a true friend, strong in her convictions and full of compassion for others. She will be dearly missed by her large extended family and hundreds of dear friends who were blessed to know her.
Visitation will be from 4-8 pm Thursday at the Fiore-Buckley Funeral Home, 236 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, Ocean Township. Funeral Mass will be offered at 10:30 am Friday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church in Asbury Park. Burial will follow at St. Anne's Cemetery in Wall. In lieu of flowers, we ask you send donations in her memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Hillsdale College. For condolences, please visit www.fiorefuneralhomes.com.