Rita Dittloff

Rita (Margarita) Dittloff passed away on Friday, September 8th after a long battle with the rare neurological disease Multiple System Atrophy. She was surrounded by her family at the time of her passing. Born in Moscow, Rita was the daughter of Valentina Shapiro and the late German Shapiro and sister to Bo Shapiro. Her family immigrated to the United States and set their home in Houston, Texas. She married her high school sweetheart Paul Dittloff in September of 1997. After the couple had two daughters, the family moved to Bridgewater, New Jersey. From jobs in the library to NASA employee, Rita channeled all of her energy into creating outstanding work. She was perhaps most well known for her passion and intelligence in the classroom. Having a Masters degree in Psychology she taught childhood development at local universities and community colleges in Houston and the Bridgewater-Raritan area. Rita also taught History, Science, and Language Arts at her children’s school. Above all, her greatest joy was raising her two beautiful daughters with her adoring husband. In her spare time, she loved reading, cooking, and traveling with her family. With an undeniable sense of humor, Rita carried herself through life with a positive attitude and a grateful heart. Rita brought joy and warmth to anyone and everyone who had the pleasure to meet her. She was fiercely independent, incredibly smart, and overflowing with love. She is survived by her husband of 26 years Paul Dittloff, her two daughters Hannah and Chloe Dittloff, her brother and her sister-in-law Bo and Julia Shapiro, mother Valentina Shapiro, father-in-law and mother-in-law Wayne and Monique Dittloff, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Dan and Michelle Croasmun, as well as her cousins and beautiful nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Rita's life will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 10AM- 12Noon with a service beginning at 11:30AM at the Bridgewater Funeral home, 707 E. Main Street, Bridgewater, NJ 08807.

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