Marguerite Tafro

Marguerite (Gaudiosi) “Maggie, Nonny, Margo” Tafro, 91, of Whippany NJ passed away peacefully on January 10, 2025 at home surrounded by her loving family.

Marguerite was a native of Newark NJ and graduated from West Side High School and the Berkely School for Secretaries. She started her administrative career at Woolworths while still in high school, where at the age of 15 she travelled from Newark to NYC daily on the “Tubes” delivering mail. She became a highly regarded secretary first for Robert Fisher & Company Jewelers and later for the Teamsters before starting her family.

Once her girls were in elementary school she returned to the workforce at the Rose Miller boutique in Short Hills, as a manager and merchandise buyer of high end women’s fashion. Later in her career she was the right arm and office manager for Leonard Abruzzo & Sons accounting firm where she worked well into her 80s.

She formed life-long friendships starting in grammar school and from each step in her career.

Maggie’s passions in life were her family, her friends, her children and especially the light of her life, her granddaughter Alli.  We are grateful she lived to see Alli graduate high school and begin attending NYU.

Her home was always open – whether it was for someone in need or just to have a good time. She loved to host and cook, and her house was always full of friends and family sharing delicious meals and good times.

Maggie was a force, an inspiration and a woman ahead of her time. Her devotion to her family & friends, her words of wisdom, her love of life, her infectious smile and laughter will never be forgotten.

Maggie is survived by her loving children – Joi & John Squillace, Lisa Tafro & her partner Michael Sexton, beloved granddaughter Alexandra Squillace, her grand dogs Roxi and Jackson, her loving brother Ronald Gaudiosi and his family, cousins, nieces, nephews, and her many ”adopted” kids and grandkids.

She is pre-deceased by her parents Mary and Ben Gaudiosi, her ex-husband Victor, her granddaughter Jordan Squillace and her dearest soul sister friends – all of whom welcomed her with open arms.

We would like to thank those who helped care for her over the past few years, especially Pierina, Sandy, Laurie B., Frances, Judy and Yinely.

Her Celebration of Life Memorial service to be held on Saturday January 18th at 11am at St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 29 Hillview Ave, Morris Plains, NJ.  A repast luncheon will follow.  

In lieu of flowers please plant a tree or make a donation to St. Jude Children's Hospital in Maggie's memory 

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