Rita Stackable Jardine, 93, passed away in Red Bank, on May 6, with family at her side. Rita was a 60-year resident of Rumson, where she raised her family with her husband Thomas V. Jardine.
The couple met and married in 1942 during World War II, when Tom was serving as an aviator in the Navy. Their marriage and love affair lasted 67 years, spanning seven decades until his passing in 2009.
Rita was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution as well as the Junior League of Monmouth County where she was an active member for over 60 years, making her one of the longest participating members of the League. Rita joined the league in 1951 when the Junior League was known as the Junior Service League where she volunteered at their Thrift Shop, the Follies and Marlboro Psychiatric Center to mention a few. She also served as treasurer. Her husband Tom also served as the League’s attorney. Rita earned her degree in 1986 at the age of 63 from Brookdale Community College where she studied communications and hosted a radio program.
In her early life, her parents died when she and her sister, Mary, were young. The two were cared for by relatives in Virginia and California. While those early years had challenges, they instilled in Rita a deep love of God and family which remained the focus of her life through all of her days. Above all, she supported her husband and patiently guided the family through the years, asking little for herself.
She was predeceased by her husband, Thomas, in 2009. She is survived by her son, John Jardine and wife Margaret of Dallas, Texas; a daughter, Suzanne Robinson and husband Jack of Denver, Colorado; a daughter, Jeannette Yorke and husband Tom of Fair Haven; and a son, Peter Jardine and wife Ellen of Raleigh, North Carolina; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She enjoyed her cat, Buddy, friends at the Atrium, playing bridge with her friends at Navesink Country Club and liked a round of golf. The family would like to thank the caring staff at the Atrium and Seasons Hospice for their support.
A Memorial service will be held at St. George’s-by-the-River in Rumson, on June 16 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made the Monmouth County ASPCA. The Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank, is in charge of arrangements.
