Rita Ackaway, 87, of Toms River, died Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010, at Ocean Medical Center, Brick. Born in Louisville, Ky., she resided in Hawthorne before coming to Toms River in 1965. She had owned and operated, with her husband Mike's Auction of Toms River for many years. Rita was a communicant of St. Luke's Roman Catholic Church, Toms River.
Predeceased by her husband, Michael, in 2004, she is survived by her children, Michael T. and his wife Robin, of Toms River, Shirley Ackaway Williams and her husband Joe of Toms River, and Diane Chiappone and her husband John of Marlboro. She is also survived by eight loving grandchildren; six great-grandchildren, and was looking forward to seeing her two great-grandchildren that are on the way.
Visiting will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19 at Anderson & Campbell Funeral, 703 Main St., Toms River. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:15 a.m. Monday, Sept. 20 at St. Luke's R.C. Church, Toms River. Entombment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Lakewood. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the American Diabetes Association , P.O. Box 11354, Alexandria, VA. 22312. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.andersonandcampbell.com.