Rita Carol Straka

Born in Jersey City on January 30, 1944 to the late August and Rita Robbiani, Rita Carol’s life was a vibrant journey filled with faith, creativity, and a deep love for those around her. She grew up in Weehawken, New Jersey, and later began commuting to New York City where she worked as a switchboard operator for the Mabel Cooperative Telephone Company. During her time in the city, Rita Carol also collaborated with many talented artists before they rose to fame. It was during this exciting chapter of her life that she met her soulmate, Milan. After marrying, Rita Carol and Milan moved to a 72-acre property in Oneonta, New York, complete with a pond, ducks, and rabbits. Though she had been a lifelong city girl, Rita Carol embraced her new rural surroundings wholeheartedly. She quickly mastered cooking and baking, even winning baking contests for her delicious creations.

In 1985, Rita Carol and her family moved to Montague, New Jersey, where she earned her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Sussex County Community College. She went on to fulfill her passion for teaching as a preschool educator for over 30 years, a role she cherished and continued for the rest of her life.

A talented photographer, Rita Carol captured the beauty of everyone and everything through her lens. Her creativity extended to her green thumb, and as an active member of her gardening club she had a knack for making stunning floral arrangements as well as various arts and crafts. Rita Carol loved to dance and sing, and her rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas was unforgettable to anyone who knew her. She was a passionate world traveler and relished exploring new places, never shying away from an adventure. With her unmatched entrepreneurial spirit, Rita Carol could sell anything to anyone, a skill she enthusiastically imparted to her three loving daughters.

A woman of immense faith and compassion, Rita Carol was known as a prayer warrior and a mother figure to many. Always ready to lend a helping hand, she was the friend and confidante you could call at any hour. Her legendary hugs were a source of comfort and warmth that felt genuinely therapeutic to all who received them.

Rita Carol’s faith was central to her life and she touched many hearts through her music, religious education, and lessons about Jesus and self-love. Over the years, she collected a remarkable number of rosaries, a testament to her devotion. Above all, she was a loving and devoted wife to Milan and an extraordinary mother to her daughters. Her humor, fierce independence, and strong will were hallmarks of her personality and she will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Rita Carol leaves fond memories to her beloved husband of 54 years, Milan Straka; her three daughters Michele, Stephanie and Denise Straka; her sister Aurora Hoover and brothers Michael and Thomas Robbiani; her niece Stacie Carroll; her four grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother Robert Robbiani.

A visitation for Rita Carol will be held on Saturday, December 21 from 10 am to 2 pm at St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church (210 US-206, Sandyston, NJ 07826), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 2 pm. To honor her vibrant spirit, Rita Carol’s family invites funeral guests to wear their most colorful attire as a reflection of the brightness and positivity she brought to so many lives.

Contributions in Rita Carol's memory may be made to St Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in Sandyston, New Jersey.