Obituary of Nancy C Cocuzza

Nancy Cocuzza, 88, formally of Maplewood, NJ died peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016 at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, Watchung. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at St. James Church, 184 S. Finley Ave., Basking Ridge on Friday, March 4th, at 9:00 a.m. Interment is at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. The visitation will be held at St. James Church in the Chapel, Basking Ridge, NJ on Thursday, March 3rd from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. For more information please contact Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home at 908-766-0250, or to light an online condolence candle please visit our website www.gcfuneralhome.com. Born in Castelnuovo di Conza, Italy, Mrs. Cocuzza lived in Maplewood for 53 years. She was a bank teller early in her career and later worked for South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education in various administrative support positions for over 20 years. Nancy was actively involved in her parish, Our Lady of Sorrows Church, South Orange, as a Eucharistic minister, member of the choir and Rosary Society. More recently, she was a communicant at St. James Church. Nancy was the revered matriarch of a large and loving family. She was the beloved wife of Tony Cocuzza (deceased, 2007) and the devoted mother of seven children; Charles Cocuzza, Grace Zambelli and her husband, Mike, Candie Hengemuhle and her husband, Mark, Frank Cocuzza and his wife, Jeanne, Gerard Cocuzza and his wife, Pam, Barbie Kirner and her husband, Tom, and John Cocuzza and his wife, Kathi; loving sister of Victor DiRuggerio (deceased), Victor Gatto, Virgil Gatto (deceased) and Nicholas Gatto. Nancy is also survived by 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Compassion and caring characterized Nancy's way of life. She carved her name on the hearts and souls of all she met through her friendly demeanor and limitless acts of kindness. Nancy will be missed by all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Center for Great Expectations (www.cge-nj.org), Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org/nj) or McAuley Hall Health Care Center, Watchung, NJ (908-754-3663).