Rita C. Pierce, 84,of Yardville, passed away Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Hamilton. Born and raised in Kannapolis, NC, she was a longtime New Jersey resident. Rita graduated from Haddon Heights High School and went on to attend Felt and Tarrant School in Philadelphia. She was a member of the Morning Star Chapter # 22 O.E.S. and the AARP.

Rita is survived by her husband of 60 years, A. Edward Pierce; her daughters and sons-in-law, Margaret and John Lauricella of Florence and Joann and Gene Snook of Hamilton Square; two grandchildren, Jeffrey and Steven Lauricella, both of Forrest Hills, NY; a sister, Virginia Whitaker of Cape May Court House; a special nephew and niece, Wes and Kathi Whitaker as well as other nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held from 6-9pm on Sunday, November 30th at the Peppler Funeral Home, 114 S. Main St. Allentown. Entombment will be private at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made in Rita's name to the American Heart Association, 1 Union Street, Suite 301,Robbinsville, NJ 08691 or to a charity of the donor's choice.