Jean Margaret Rios

Jean Margaret Rios passed away on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at Clara Mass Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. She was 66 years old.  Born at City Hospital on June 25, 1955 to the late Catherine Rios and Manuel Rios in Newark, NJ. Jeannie, as she was affectionately known by family and friends, was one of five children. Survived by Manuel Thomas Rios (Nilsa Rios), Victor Manuel Rios, and the late Carmen Lydia Rios, and John Michael Cardona. Her mother Catherine Rios also fostered and adopted three other siblings, Kiano O. Rios, Joseph Rios and Nelson Rios. She had 6 nieces, 2 nephews, 2 great nieces, 8 great nephews.

 Jeannie and her siblings grew up in Columbus Homes Housing Development of Newark, New Jersey. She worked at a Coat Factory in Harrison, New Jersey. She then left her job to be the caretaker for her mother who then became ill, after the passing of her mother she then continued to take care of her late sister Carmen and her Aunt Margaret Galleto. She had a love for taking care of children, which then turned into something that she did up until the day she passed. In 1998 she attended St. Rose of Lima in Newark, New Jersey, where she then volunteered after mass to help set up for coffee, tea and desserts. 

In 2003, she met Pastor Debbie and Pastor Reddick who pastored at Renaissance Church on Seventh Avenue in Newark, New Jersey a small local community church. At this location they operated a food bank. Jeannie had a passion to help and serve others and the community. It was very easy for her to lend her services to the Church. She became loved by everyone who she came into contact with to where they became part of her family. She loved to cook and care for the people on Second St. who she referred to as family. Jeannie will be missed by her family and friends who loved her.

Visitation for Jean Margaret Rios and a Memorial Service for John Michael Cardona will take place on Thursday, September 30th, from 5-9PM and on Friday, October 1st, from 9-9:30AM. Following visitation on Friday, a Funeral Mass will be in St. Rose of Lima, Newark, NJ. Final Disposition for both Jean Margaret Rios and John Michael Cardona will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, NJ. 

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