Marie A. Accetturo

Marie A. Accetturo, 83, of Oxford, passed away on August 20, 2023.

She was born on April 22, 1940 in Morristown, NJ. Originally from East Hanover, NJ, Marie moved to Oxford with her husband and young children in 1970. Upon her arrival in Warren County, Marie immediately immersed herself in a variety of volunteer activities, including scout leadership, assistance with youth sports, and membership with school Parent Teacher Associations. Marie and her family built and opened Rocky Ridge Driving Range in 1990 and she continued as the owner/operator of that business for many decades.

Marie served as the Executive Director of the American Cancer Society’s Warren County Unit for twenty years. In that position, she was responsible for all ACS fundraising, public education, professional education, and patient services. Marie reported to a board of managers, had two part-time employees and coordinated dozens of volunteers in various capacities. Some of the larger events under Marie’s supervision included an annual golf tournament, a black tie event, “Relay for Life”, “Daffodil Days”, a fashion show, and the “Making Strides Against Cancer” walk. In her last year with the American Cancer Society, the Warren County Unit generated over $250,000 in revenue.

Upon her retirement from the American Cancer Society, Marie became one of the founding members of the Joan Knechel Memorial Walk (JKMW) in partnership with the Hackettstown Regional Medical Center Foundation. Since its inception in 2002, the JKMW has netted over $320,000 for the benefit of the Joan Knechel Cancer Center at HRMC.

Marie was a four-year member of the Oxford Land Use Board and an active volunteer for Common Sense for Animals, assisting with their annual golf tournament. Marie has also assisted the Hackettstown Rotary Club with the planning and implementation of the Memorial Motor Madness Car Show to benefit the Joan Knechel Cancer Center at HRMC and other charities. In 2006, Marie was inducted into the Hackettstown Area Senior Hall of Fame.

Marie was pre-deceased by her parents Helen and Louis Rello and her loving brother, John Rello.

She was the beloved wife for 26 years to Rocco Accetturo, who passed away January 20, 1987, dear mother of Rocco of Saylorsburg, PA, Angelo and his wife Carrie of Oxford, NJ, and Louis and his wife Samantha of Washington, NJ, devoted grandmother (Nana) of Louis DeBacco, Gabrielle and Sierra Accetturo, Angela Marie, Joseph Anthony and Julia Claire Accetturo, and Anthony Rocco Accetturo, dear sister of Dolores Mianecki and her husband Joseph of Fredon, NJ, Doris Woods and her husband Thomas of Brooksville, FL, Joan Dougherty and her husband James of North Plainfield, NJ, and Louise DiDomenico and her husband Thomas of East Hanover, NJ.

Marie is survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends of whom she shared many great memories with.

Marie was so very proud of her grandchildren. She loved attending their sports games and various school functions and activities.

Visitation at the Leonardis Memorial Home, Inc., 210 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park on Thursday, August 24th from 4:00-7:00pm. Funeral on Friday, August 25th assembling at the funeral home at 9:30am, followed by the funeral mass at St. Rose of Lima Church in East Hanover at 10:30am. Interment at Restland Memorial Park

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Oxford Emergency Squad, 76 Academy Street, Oxford, NJ 07863 or Oxford Volunteer Fire Department, 14 Wall Street, Oxford, NJ 07863.

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