Margaret “Marge” Vaccarelli, 92, of Shrewsbury, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family Jan. 19, 2021. Marge was born Aug. 23, 1928, in Pittsfield, Illinois to the late Hugh and Victoria Ducey. She was a loving wife, mother of four children and grandmother to seven grandchildren.
Marge was an amazing cook and enjoyed making her family and friends Italian delights. The smell of Mom’s sauce on the stove always filled our house and our hearts with comfort, especially during the holidays. She was a midwestern girl who moved with her siblings to Monmouth County at the age of 23. It was here that she met the love of her life and husband of 65 years, James “Chick” Vaccarelli. Together they shared a tremendous faith in the Catholic Church, a love of the seashore, eternal hope for a New York Giants victory and, of course, Frank Sinatra. Marge and Chick were most happy spending time with their grandchildren, delivering for Meals on Wheels and saying the rosary with their family.
Marge was predeceased by her sisters Victoria Swenarton and Imelda Murtha and brothers Francis, Charlie and Jack Ducey. Surviving are her devoted husband, James Vaccarelli Jr.; their four children, Theresa Citarella and husband Paul, James Vaccarelli III, Lisa Wikoff and husband Steven, Peggy Vaccarelli and wife Vivien; grandchildren Steven and wife Mary, Morgan, Kelsey, Gillian, Aubrey, Caroline and Emily; sisters-in-law Emma Ducey and Sue Vaccarelli; as well as many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Jan. 25 at St. James RC Church, Red Bank. In lieu of flowers a donation in her name would be appreciated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank, has been entrusted with the arrangements.
The article originally appeared in the February 4 – 10, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
