Judith L O'Rourke

Judith L. O’Rourke, age 72, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 24th surrounded by family.

Judith (who was affectionately called “Judi” or “Jude”) was born on January 28, 1947 in Hackensack, NJ to her loving parents, the late Anthony M. Rizzo and the late Olga Rizzo (nee De Luca). Judi grew up in Saddle Brook, NJ, where she graduated from Saddle Brook High School in 1964, before moving to Lanoka Harbor, NJ in the 1970s, where she raised a beautiful family and spent the rest of her years.

Beloved wife to her husband, Timothy E. O’Rourke of Lanoka Harbor, NJ. Loving mother to her two sons, Timothy and Sara O’Rourke of Kilauea, Kauai and Ryan O’Rourke and Ann Marie Caruso of Lanoka Harbor, NJ. Devoted sister to Adrian (nee Rizzo) and David Griep of Saddle Brook, NJ, and the late Anthony M. Rizzo and Denise Monaghan-Rizzo of Midland Park, NJ.

Adoring “Grandma Jude” to Morgan, Kelta, Kevin, Kellen, Dylan and Mila. Loving “Aunt Jude” to Seth, Chad, Adam, Alexis, Bella, Tommy, Ted, Jaime, Rachel and Patrick.  Dearest “Great-Aunt Jude” to Aiden, Desmond, Logan, Gavin, Robbie and Mia. Cherished Daughter-in-Law to the late Jim and Doris O’Rourke. Beloved Sister-in-Law to Mary Jo O’Rourke and Joe Frangipane, Beth O’Rourke and the late Jimmy O’Rourke.

Judi lit up a room. She was kind, decent and always put others first. She loved her family fiercely and was always there in times of need. Her children and her grandchildren were her world. Her love for her grandchildren cannot be overstated. She traveled frequently to Hawaii to be with her “Hawaii family,” and equally valued the time she spent with her “New Jersey family.” Judi was proud of where she came from and her huge Rizzo extended family, especially all of her cousins from Lyndhurst. Judi also loved her nights out with her friends. Anyone who knew Judi loved her, and she left a mark on everyone she met.

Before retiring, Judi worked at North Dover OBGYN, where she formed lasting friendships. She was also a parishioner at Saint Pius X Catholic Church.

While we are mourning her loss, we can take comfort in the fact that she has been reunited with her loving parents, Tony and Olga and her brother TR who also left this world too soon, as well as other beloved Rizzo, De Luca, Sabella and O’Rourke family members who predeceased her.

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