Rita Richnavsky Mcnally

​Devout Catholic, Proud Irishwoman, Beloved “GG”

On January 16, 2021, Margaret “Rita” McNally, 89, peacefully left her earthly world at the home of her daughter, Marguerite Colline, to join her Heavenly Father.

She was born Margaret Mary Conaghan in Bayonne, NJ to John and Grace (Bonner) Conaghan (formerly of Leffin, County Donegal, Ireland). To all who knew her, she was “Rita.” She lived in Bayonne until moving to Scotch Plains, NJ to raise her family. She would move to Branchburg, NJ, and then to Harrisburg, PA after her marriage to Richard T. McNally. A move to Lakewood, NJ would bring her back to her large extended Irish family that she adored. Most recently and until her death, she lived in Bridgewater, NJ at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Marguerite and Richard Colline.

She entered the workforce out of high school and began as a bookkeeper at Wagner Electric in NYC and then Jersey City, until she started her family. In the 1960’s she returned to the workforce, again as a bookkeeper- first at Somerset Tire Service, and then for 16 years at L.C. Bigelow & Co. in Mountainside, NJ. She worked there during the day and went to school at night at UCTI, graduating as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1979. Nursing was her TRUE calling. She worked at Runnell’s Hospital in Berkley Heights, NJ and then at McAuley Hall Infirmary of the Sisters of Mercy in Watchung, NJ until her retirement in 1993. A Mercy Associate of the Sisters of Mercy, she continued to do what she did best: help others who were in need.

She was a humble woman of many talents. Not afraid to do hard work, she could demolish the interior of a house while her children were off at school, just so that her husband could rebuild it on the weekends. Summer found her canning vegetables and making jelly from grapes she harvested in her garden. By summer’s end, she was enjoying canning bushels of tomatoes for sauce with the neighbors.

She was a very proud member of the 1950 National Champion St. Vincent’s Drum and Bugle Corp. of Bayonne, NJ. Other interests included bowling at the Blue Star Lanes, Ceili dancing in Bridgewater, and being a fixture at Feis competitions with her grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents; first husband, John Paul Richnavsky II, and second husband, Richard T. McNally; brothers, John, Thomas, and Dominic Conaghan; and sisters, Cecelia Mellett, Mary Gunsiorowski and Frances Kulik.
She is survived by her children: Marguerite Colline (Richard) of Bridgewater, John P. Richnavsky, III (Leigh) of Wantage, and Ilona Crosby (Russell) of Washington Township; brothers, Charles Conaghan of Point Pleasant, NJ and Brian Conaghan (Sandra) of Wake Forest, NC.

She leaves behind 8 grandchildren who will miss her constant and daily presence in their lives: Jennifer Colline, Nicole Colline (Umberto Lazzaro), Danielle Frank (Christopher), James Colline, Russell Crosby (Victoria), Christina Seeger (Michael), Keith Crosby (Debra), and John Paul “JP” Richnavsky (Chelsea Falotico).
She further leaves behind 9 cherished great-grandchildren: Lorenzo and Luca Lazzaro, Hailey and Avery Frank, Russell and Cash Crosby, Joseph Seeger, Jackson and Emma Crosby. Additionally, she leaves behind many treasured nieces, nephews and cousins.

Due to covid-19 restrictions, to maintain safety and at her request, no services will be held. A celebration of her life will take place at a later date after Covid19 restrictions are lifted. Her wish was that you remember her in your prayers and at Mass.
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Memorial donations in her name can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Operation Smile, her two favorite charities.