Rita Locicero, 91 of Vineland, New Jersey, passed away at home peacefully on November 11, 2025. Rita was born in Philadelphia, Pa on December 25, 1933 to the late Joseph and Mary (Ferrillo) Cinghina. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Vince Locicero (1998) of 42 years. She will be joyfully reunited in heaven with her brothers, John and Horace Cinghina and sister, Marie Briggs.

Rita was raised in Bridgeton, NJ and was a graduate of Bridgeton High School, class of 1951. After marrying Vince, the couple settled in Vineland, where she resided for 69 years. Rita was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was known by most as "Mimi", a title she cherished the most. She was a wonderful homemaker while her girls were little and later entered the work force as a Landis Avenue store owner, The InBetween Shop, with her best friend and partner, Shirley Bononcini. After leaving the retail world, Rita went on to be a secretary in human resources at the Vineland Development Center where she worked for almost 30 years before retiring. She loved spending summers at the shore, vacationing with her husband and sharing good times with her close-knit circle of friends affectionately known as "The Crowd."

She is survived by her loving daughters, Laury Pappas and husband Steven of Sicklerville and Patricia "Patti" Gavigan and husband Brian of Vineland. Rita was the proud grandmother of Jessica Pappas (Anthony), Steve Pappas (Natalie), Vincent Gavigan (Maddie), Rachel Mercurio (Theo), and Lukas Gavigan along with 7 great-grandchildren, Troy, Ava, Mia, Savalyn, Liliana, Josephine, and Jackson. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend funeral services on Friday, November 14, 2025 at Saint Isidore Parish, 1655 Magnolia Road Vineland, NJ. Viewing will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Liturgy at Noon. Following the Mass, Rita will be laid to rest at the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Vineland, NJ.

Memorial contributions can be made to either Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital or New Jersey Health Hospice Care, 415 West Landis Ave. Suite 100 Vineland, NJ 08360

Arrangements are in the care of Wainwright-Bernhardt Funeral Home, Vineland.