Obituary of Rita L (DeBonis) Woolverton

Rita L. (DeBonis) Woolverton of Hamilton, entered into God’s Loving Care on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at home, surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in the Chambersburg section of Trenton, she was a lifelong area resident. Rita was a graduate of Trenton High School, class of 1954, and a graduate of St. Francis School of Nursing, class of 1957. She pursued and obtained her BS in Nursing from Stockton State University. Rita was a registered nurse of distinction. For years, she worked as an Emergency Department nurse at St. Francis Hospital prior to getting married and having children. Later, she served as a nurse for several doctors in private practice, a nurse with the Mercer County TB Chest Clinic, a private duty nurse through St. Francis, a nurse on staff with the Department of Transportation, and then as the clinical nursing supervisor for state government agencies downtown Trenton, prior to her retirement in 2002. She was well-sought-out by many due to her exemplary diagnostic skills and strong heart of compassion and love for people. Rita absolutely loved her family and took great pride in spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They were the highlight of her life and brought her great joy. She also spread love and compassion to people wherever she went. Whenever she saw a need, she tried to meet that need as best she could. It was a sign of her faith in her Lord. Quite often she expressed her love with food—both providing food for people to comfort them in times of need, sharing food at celebrations of life, teaching her kids and grandkids how to cook, and enjoying people’s smiles as they ate with gusto. She leaves a legacy of generosity, care, and compassion. Rita was predeceased by her parents, Eugenio and Vincenzina (Arena) DeBonis, her siblings, Mary Bodinizzo, Anthony DeBonis, Jennie Cipriano, Michael DeBonis, Frank DeBonis, Carmela Mohr, Virginia Belardo, and their spouses. She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Paul Woolverton, three sons, Dr. Christopher J. (Nancy) Woolverton, Timothy Paul (Susan) Woolverton, Rev. Dr. David E. (Kristine) Woolverton, and a step-son, Rev. Paul (Rebecca) Woolverton; eight cherished grandchildren, Lyssa (Ken) Rickard, Samantha (Andre) Antoine, Abbey Woolverton, Kahra Woolverton, Adam Woolverton, Christopher (Laura) Woolverton, Douglas Woolverton, Melissa (Kevin) Connor; eleven great grandchildren, Joel, Hope, Zoe, Freddy, Elise, Ezekiel, Marcus, Bennett, Mackenzie, Morgan, and Everett; also survived by many nieces, nephews and other relatives. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, April 13, 2023 at Grace-St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 3715 East State Street Ext., Hamilton, NJ 08619. Public viewing and visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at the D’Errico Funeral Chapel, 30 Yardville-Allentown Road, Yardville, NJ 08620, located in the Buklad-Merlino facility. Entombment will follow the service in Greenwood Cemetery Veterans Mausoleum, 1800 Hamilton Avenue, Hamilton, NJ 08619. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rita Woolverton’s memory to either the Memorial Fund at Grace-St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 3715 East State Street Ext., Hamilton, NJ 08619, or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.