Connie Rutkowski (nee McNamee), on September 5, 2011, of Glendora. Age 58.

Beloved wife of Anthony. Devoted mother of Chad, Nate, Kate and Jake. Loving grandmother of Emma, Shane, Calvin, Luke and Layla. Dear sister of John McNamee, Jr. and Dorothy McNamee. Also survived by nieces, nephews and many friends.

Mrs. Rutkowski was a CCD teacher, past president of St. Teresa Altar & Rosary Society, and founding member of the Three French Fries.

The smell of gardenias reminded her of the Disney World Polynesian. When she drove through the marshes to the shore, everyone had to roll their windows down and smell. She did not believe in coincidences. Whenever she saw a butterfly, she believed her mom was visiting her from heaven.

She loved turtles, and had a special devotion to Blessed Kateri, a member of the Mohawk Turtle Clan. She loved margaritas, but just one. She was enchanted by New Orleans.

Everyone was welcome at her table, and they flocked to it. She was a second mother to high school friends, wayward law students, and neighborhood urchins. She made a mean meatball for an Irish woman. You couldn't see the grass for the eggs during her Easter Egg hunts, and every Christmas tree ornament had a story.

Her favorite art works were the Polish Madonna (the one where she's hanging laundry) and Parrish's Girl on a Swing. She was the closest thing James Taylor had to a groupie. Music played in her mind when she walked, and her lullabies linked generations.

She was gentle, unless you knocked her plate off the wall, then God help you (trust us on this one). She gave Christmas socks to her nurses.

She was an expert traveler and accompanied Anthony to San Antonio, Maui, Colorado, San Francisco, New Orleans, and many, many other places besides.

She showed her children how to look at the world, really look. She gave her children the space they needed to grow, and the encouragement to pursue their dreams and be fulfilled.

She enjoyed tea parties, built legos, and played bingo and board games with modified rules. Her prize basket was bottomless, and she adored and was adored by her grandchildren.

She fought cancer like a street brawler. She had nothing left undone. She didn't want anything different; she just wanted more.

There will be a viewing from 6 to 9pm Thursday eve and 8:15 to 9:15am Friday morning at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE.

Funeral Mass 10am Friday at Holy Child Parish, St. Teresa's RC Church, Runnemede.

Entombment St. Joseph's Mausoleum, Chews Landing.

Donations may be made in Mrs. Rutkowski's memory to the Ronald McDonald House, 550 Mickle Blvd., Camden, NJ 08103.

Family and friends may share memories at www.GardnerFuneralHome.com.

Guest Book: www.legacy.com/link.asp?i=gb000153491737

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