Obituary of Margaret Z. Acciani

Margaret Ann (Zarra) Acciani passed away at home surrounded by her devoted family on October 1, 2017 at the age of 64 after her short battle with cancer.

Margaret, also known as Maggie, is predeceased by her parents, Frank and Margaret Zarra.

Maggie is survived by her loving husband of 33 years, Patrick Acciani. They were married in Brick, NJ on September 29, 1984.

She is lovingly remembered by her adoring children, Deandrea Acciani LaFrance and her husband, Gregory, of Wall Township, and Marc Acciani and his fiancé, Brianne Murphy of Wall Township; her granddaughter, Zarra Ann LaFrance, her pride and joy, of Wall Township; and  brothers, Nicholas Zarra and his wife, Mary of Holiday, FL and Anthony Zarra of Dunedin, FL. Maggie will also be remembered by many nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, and friends.

Margaret was born in Newark on January 17, 1953 and grew up in Westfield. She graduated from Westfield High School in 1971 and went on to earn a Fashion Merchandising Degree from The Fashion Institute of Technology in 1973. She worked in the fashion industry in New York City for a few years and then began working at Contempo House Furniture Store in New Jersey where she met her future husband. When they moved to Clarksburg, Margaret became very active in her community. Maggie was a girl scout leader (Troop 473), commissioner of the recreation basketball league, president of Hilltop Swim Club, and attended every game that her children played. After raising her children for 10 years, she decided to go back to Brookdale Community College and got her Associates Degree in Nursing. Maggie was on the floors for about a year, until she found her true passion, the operating room. She spent the last 15 years of her career at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in the OR with supportive colleagues, who are also her great friends. Maggie did everything in the OR, from circulator to scrub to charge nurse and more, and she did it all well. She loved her career.

Margaret’s greatest joy in life was being able to care for her granddaughter, Zarra Ann, affectionately named after her. Next to Zarra and her children, her favorite place on earth was the beach, specifically Pompano Beach in Manasquan. As long as it wasn’t raining, you could find her there all summer by lifeguard stand #5. If she wasn’t at the beach, she was with her granddaughter at the aquarium, the boardwalk, story time, feeding the animals, Great Adventure, or shopping. She also enjoyed time with her family, BINGO nights with friends, and vacations with her friends and family. Maggie loved her life!

The visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road, (Route 524), Freehold Township on Thursday, October 5, 2017 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend her 10:00 AM Funeral Mass on Friday, October 6, 2017  at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 91 Stillhouse Road, Millstone Township.  Interment will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Millstone Township. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com