Rita Hamel 88, of Burlington, passed away Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at the Masonic Home of New Jersey. Born in Bayonne, NJ, she was a resident of North Bergen and Florida for many years before moving to the Masonic Home. Rita retired as a Secretary from Evan Picone in North Bergen. Rita was a Past Matron of Guiding Star Chapter, (now Amore Chapter 176) OES.

Wife of the late Paul C. Hamel, Sr. she was predeceased by her son, Rodney Hamel and her sister Virginia Schaefer; she is survived by two sons and three daughters-in-law, Paul, Jr. and Cecelia Hamel of Bergenfield, Robert and Janet Pedersen of North Bergen and Karen Hamel of Florida; eight grandchildren; four great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 10am on Friday, December 18th at the Masonic Home Chapel, 902 Jacksonville Rd., Burlington. An Eastern Star memorial service for all family and friends will be held at 2pm on January 17, 2010, at the Secaucus Masonic Temple, 1422 Paterson Plank Rd, Secaucus. Memorial contributions may be made to the Masonic Charity Foundation, 902 Jacksonville Rd., Burlington, NJ 08016. Arrangements under the direction of Peppler Funeral Home, Bordentown.