Rita Raacke

RAACKE - Rita (nee Intermont), of New Milford and Oradell passed away Sunday, March 11, 2007 at Hackensack University Medical Center after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Beloved wife of Fred H. Raacke for 52 years. Loving mother of Dr. Lisa Raacke and husband, Edward Malley. Devoted and caring grandmother of Katherine, Rita and Caroline Malley. Loving sister of Mimi Sarthou of Midland Park and predeceased by Helen Intermont, Eileen Meyers, Evelyn Greco, Alfred Intermont, Jack Intermont, and Col. Robert Intermont. Dear sister-in-law of Peter Sarthou, Bernard Greco, Nan Intermont and predeceased by Ruth Intermont, Nelson Meyers, Thea and Bernd Menkens. Adored aunt of Cindy and Peter Greco and ten nieces and nephews. Dear life long friend and neighbor to many. Rita was the loving daughter of Marie and John Intermont and was born in West New York, NJ. She graduated from Holy Family High School, Union City, where she won the Lamp of Knowledge and awards for stenography and typing; she studied at Seton Hall University but had to leave because of the Depression. Rita was made the Executive Secretary to the President of Metropolitan Casualty Insurance Co. Loyalty Group, Wall St., NY shortly after she began there because of her intelligence, trust and exceptional secretarial skills. She moved to Brooklyn, NY after her marriage and helped her husband run the family business, Raacke's Candy, Ice Cream Parlor and Luncheonette. In 1964, they moved to New Milford; Rita worked for the Bergen County Board of Elections - Election Division for many years, retiring in 1983. After the births of her granddaughters, Rita lovingly cared for them up until the last several weeks, even during a year long battle with ovarian cancer in 1990. They were a constant source of joy and happiness to her. She loved to travel throughout Europe and Asia and in 2004 traveled with our family to France to see Fred receive a medal from the French government for his participation in D Day. Rita was a member of the Children of Mary Rosary Society of St. Joseph's of the Palisades, Sisters of St. Francis, Peekskill, NY, Seton Junior League of South Orange, March of Dimes of Bergen County, and the Democratic Women of Bergen County. The family will welcome relatives and friends to Beaugard Funeral Home, 869 Kinderkamack Rd., River Edge, NJ 201-262-5050 on Thursday March 15, 7-9 PM and Friday March 16, 3-8 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 17, at 11 AM, St. Joseph R.C. Church, Oradell followed by interment in Madonna Cemetery, Fort Lee, NJ.