Obituary of Rita J. Trenz

Rita Trenz, 95 passed into eternal life on June 1, 2021 surrounded by her family. At her own admission, she had a great life. Her amazing zest for everything life had to offer was as infectious as her wonderfully robust laugh. Loving, warm, independent, bold, generous, smart, feisty, sassy, fun, fashionable and sometimes bossy were some of her attributes. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Rita was born in Dublin, Ireland on August 30, 1925 and emigrated to the United States when she was four years old. The oldest daughter of Labor Leader, William Grogan and charismatic Mollie Grogan, she Rita was brought up to have strong values with a fierce love of family and a drive to stand up for the less fortunate as an advocate for Civil Rights. She was recognized by Congressman John Lewis at the White House in 2015 for her tireless efforts and dedication. She was not afraid of anything and learned how to drive a stick-shift car in Manhattan. Known as the “Red Hot Tomato” by her husband Jim Trenz, they resided in Oceanside and raised four children in a house full of love, activity, and pets. In her younger years, Rita worked at The Plaza Hotel, was a Girl Scout Leader, PTA President, founding member of the Rosary Altar Society at St. Anthony’s, Democratic Committee Woman, Oceanside Sanitation Commissioner, chauffeur for her kids, and attended and cheered at every game, in every sport in which her son Jimmy excelled in. She thought nothing of loading all her kids in her station wagon and driving straight through to visit her parents in Miami (even during snow storms). When her youngest daughter left for college, she Rita enrolled in college too (at age 48)! She graduated from Adelphi University and then went on to earn a Master’s degree in Social Work. Rita loved to travel. S and she and her husband had were lucky enough to have many adventures to Europe, Asia, Africa and across the USA to visit family and make new friends wherever they went. She took joy in swimming in every ocean she could. Known as Grandma, Granny, Gram and GiGi, Rita delighted in attending every event and celebration for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She traveled far and wide to spend time with them and took care of them when they were sick. They all adored her. As did her beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family. Always seamstress, she became a quilter and an active member in the Long Island Quilters’ Society coordinating the delivery of quilts to Veterans and to children with cancer. Her family is graced with the many quilts, Afghans,, quilts and wall hangings she created over the years. Rita worked as a social worker for the Tender Loving Care agency, and an office manager at the Radio, Electrical, Machine and Furniture Workers Union, Local 463. She was a Bereavement Counselor, a volunteer with the Tabor House in Oceanside, a Poll Watcher, a member of the VFW, a benevolent supporter of her former High School St. Joseph’s, and a lector at St. Anthony’s. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Jim Trenz. Rita is survived by her four children, Patricia McGuone, Eileen Roberti (her best friend and devoted caregiver), Jim Trenz, and Kathi Maglia. Patricia McGuone and husband Jim McGuone of Atlanta, GA and their children, Jennifer Lantz and husband Brian and their children, Max, Delaney and Ben Lantz. Peter McGuone and John and Melanie McGuone. Eileen Roberti (her best friend and dedicated care giver) and her husband Paul Roberti of Rockville Centre, NY and their children Matthew Roberti and wife Kelly and their children, Madeline and Jack Roberti. Jessica Roberti and Luke Roberti. Jim Trenz and his wife Christine of Norwell, MAGreenfield, NH. Kathleen Maglia and her husband Giorgio of Canton, CT and their children Nicholas Maglia and his wife Katherine, and Bettina Maglia. Visitation will take place at the Tower’s Funeral Home in Oceanside, NY and will be held on Friday, June 4th, from 4:30-7:30. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, June 5th at 9:45 at St. Anthony’s R.C. Church in Oceanside with burial at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury, NY. Memorial donations may be made in her honor to the Oceanside Library https://bit.ly/2Rd018m Donations can also be mailed to: Friends of the Oceanside Library, Inc. 30 Davison Avenue, Oceanside, NY 11572. Made payable to the Friends.