Obituary of Rita Moore Serdakowski

Rita Ellen Moore Serdakowski, a beloved aunt, talented sewer and quilt maker, and lifelong nurse, passed peacefully into the loving arms of her God on October 23, 2024, at Fellowship Village in Basking Ridge, NJ, with family by her side. She was 94.

Born on June 1, 1930, in Newark, NJ, to Andrew “Budd” Moore and Julia Hoydich Moore, Rita was the middle of three daughters. The family moved to Gladstone when she was an infant, and she grew up in the house that would later become her lifelong home.

Rita graduated from Bernards High School in 1948 and went on to study at the St. Barnabas Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1951. Her decision to pursue nursing was deeply personal: her father, Budd, had survived a severe burn accident at a buckle factory in Newark, saved by the compassionate care of St. Barnabas staff. Inspired by this experience, Rita began a 43-year career at St. Barnabas Hospital, where she worked in many roles, including night nurse on a Medical/Surgical unit, head nurse, and later a leader in Quality Resource Management.

In 1953, Rita married Stanley Serdakowski, a machinist and Army veteran. They began their life together in Newark before returning to Gladstone in 1967. Together, they shared a life of devotion to God, generously supporting missionary families worldwide, traveling cross-country, and maintaining an extensive circle of friends and family, evidenced by the hundreds of Christmas cards they sent and received each year.

In 1975, inspired by her friend Helga, Rita put down her embroidery and turned her attention to the art of quilting. It became her passion for the remainder of her life up until the last months. She gifted many full sized quilts of all different patterns and hundreds of baby quilts, generously sharing her meticulous craftsmanship, all of which are now treasured by so many.

Rita was also known for her collection of handkerchiefs, her love of Mickey Mouse, and her enjoyment of Scrabble and puzzles.

Predeceased by her husband Stanley and her sister Wanda Kielblock, Rita is survived by her sister Joan Borriello, eight nieces and nephews, and many grandnieces and grandnephews, all of whom carry forward her legacy. Her life was a patchwork of love, dedication, creativity, generosity, and unwavering faith, all sewn together with kindness and grace. She will be deeply missed.