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47°
Monday, apr 29
Tag:
Breast Cancer
Obituaries
Sparta's Monica Jadach Dies, 34: 'Voice Of Reason'
Monica Jadach, a Sparta resident, died on Sunday, Dec. 31, after previously battling breast cancer, according to her obituary. Jadach volunteered with the Sparta Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and was a treasurer for the Congenital Heart Defect coalition, her obituary reads. Her brother, Christopher, said on social media that she had heart surgery when she was a toddler and recently beat breast cancer. His tribute went on to say Monica was the "voice of reason" despite being seven years his junior. I lost my best friend this Sunday evening on New Year’s Eve… Monica was al…
Obituaries
NJ's Jillian Schlueter Shared Heartbreaking Facebook Post Months Before Dying Of Cancer
Jillian Schlueter, a nurse from Marlton, has died just four months after discovering the cancer she had been diagnosed with in 2021 had never left her body — 10 days shy of her 29th birthday. Jillian was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in May 2021, just two days before she was set to graduate from nursing school, her obituary says. The cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, but in August 2022, she was cancer-free. Or so she thought. In May 2023, Jillian began coughing up blood and was found to have bilateral pneumonia, she said in a Facebook post, explaining the meaning behind the…
Obituaries
Tammy Tobitsch, Outdoor Enthusiast From Union County, Dies At 47
Tammy Tobitsch, a New Providence resident, died of breast cancer at the age of 47 on Friday, Sept. 29 according to her obituary. A native of Summit, Tobitsch graduated from Summit High School and developed her love for the outdoors at the Frost Valley YMCA in the Catskills. She enjoyed camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and sailing, her obituary reads. Her outdoor excursions took her to Winnipeg and Sweden, according to her obituary. Tobitsch, a diehard New York Rangers fan, spent the last 14 years working for Recreational Equipment Inc. as a programs specialist for merchandising options,…
Lifestyle
NJ Dancer Wows With Tribute To Mom Battling Cancer On 'AGT'
Donovyn Diaz has all the right moves. The 20-year-old Cranford native, who graduated from Union Catholic High School, stunned the judges on "America's Got Talent" earlier this month by performing a dance routine in honor of his mother, who is battling breast cancer. "I want her to see me and think I raised a star," Diaz, who has a background in dance and gymnastics, said. Diaz then impressed the crowd with his dance to "How I Say Goodbye" by Dean Lewis, moving some audience members to tears. "I think you're mom is going to be so proud because this was spectacular," judge Sophie Verg…
News
Fund Launched For Children Of Retired Bergen-Area Detective Who Died At 44
As the time for final goodbyes nears, many of those who knew and loved retired Washington Township Police Officer and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Heather Castronova are trying to do what they can for her two children. Toward that end, Laura Padilla has launched a GoFundMe campaign. Castronova, 44, died unexpectedly at her home in Allendale on Feb. 8, apparently as the result of a medical condition, those who knew her said. The Hackensack-born-and-bred Heather Cumming served in the Marines in Okinawa, Japan, as well as at Twenty Nine Palms, CA and Quantico, VA. She began a public service car…
News
Single Wyckoff Mom Battling Cancer Never Stops Thinking About Others, Loved Ones Say
Stacy La Vacca has plenty of reasons to dole anger and frustration out to the world — but she doesn't. She simply continues to care for those around her. The single mom from Wyckoff was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year. Doctors thought her treatment plan would be about a year long. But they later realized her cancer was more aggressive than they'd initially thought, and so, her treatment plan would be too. La Vacca took the news with grace. She forged on with gratitude and logic, with lots of consideration for those closest to her — like her two children and the friends who ha…
Obituaries
Services Set For Devoted ‘Mighty-Mom’ Tragically Struck, Killed In Pequannock, 55
Services have been set for the devoted single mother who was tragically struck and killed at the age of 55. Jill A. Russo of Pompton Plains died Saturday, June 11 while walking near 229 Boulevard in Pequannock, DailyVoice.com reported. Jill grew up in Saddle Brook, where she graduated high school in 1985, her obituary says. She was a competitive swimmer and loved playing softball. More recently, Jill had developed a passion for running and ice hockey, where she participated in an adult league at the Floyd Hall Arena, according to her memorial. She was also preparing to compete in the Disn…
Obituaries
Bergen County Mom Fought Cancer With Unwavering Dignity
Lifelong North Arlington resident Lisa D. Carlucci-Diehl died on April 21 after a nearly 10-year battle with breast cancer. She was 45 years old. "Lisa has never wavered in her fight," reads a GoFundMe launched by Sharon Rizzo for Lisa's two girls. "She was a warrior, the bravest most loving and selfless woman we all know! She will never be forgotten!" The campaign had raised more than $31,000 as of Thursday, April 28. Lisa worked as a medical billing specialist in East Rutherford for nearly a decade, her obituary says. Lisa leaves behind her two children, Arielle Castellan…
News
Cancer-Fighting NJ Police Departments Unite For Stricken Mom, Young Son
North Jersey single mom Joanne Bastante-Howard worked tirelessly for years to help provide critical resources for kids who, like her young son, John, have Down syndrome. Bastante-Howard, a former advertising and marketing whirlwind, was personally responsible for raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to help obtain critical medical, education and therapeutic services for those in need through the non-profit she founded, America's Special Kidz (A.S.K.). Parents of children with a wide range of circumstances -- including autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, and mitochondrial disease…
News
Jersey Shore HS Teacher, Iraq War Vet Documenting Breast Cancer Battle On Instagram
A New Jersey high school teacher and Gulf War veteran who is battling breast cancer is taking to social media to spread hope. Sandy Jessop, of Wall, served alongside her now-husband, Christian Jessop, during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004, then deployed again to Iraq in 2008. The couple share three children together and are both high school teachers. About one year into the COVID-19 pandemic, Sandy -- a teacher at Freehold Regional High School -- was diagnosed with breast cancer. "It was confirmed I have breast cancer on Saturday," she wrote in an Instagram post. "I expect a long hard r…
Sports
'For Mama': Jersey Shore QB Scores 8 Touchdowns Day After Mom's Death
What may go down in history as Alex Brown's best game of his high school football carer came less than 24 hours after one of the worst days of his life. The Red Bank Catholic quarterback scored eight touchdowns -- throwing six and running two -- during the Nov. 12 game against Morris Catholic. On Nov. 11, the senior athlete lost his mom, Michelle Brown, after a 14-year battle with breast cancer. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝐀𝐁 🐺 (@alexbrown8k) The touchdowns pushed the Caseys to win the game 58-34 in the first round of the …
News
Cancer-Fighting NJ Police Departments Unite For Stricken Mom, Young Son
North Jersey single mom Joanne Bastante-Howard has worked tirelessly for years to help provide critical resources for kids who, like her young son, have Down syndrome. Bastante-Howard, a former advertising and marketing whirlwind, is personally responsible for raising more than $100,000 to help obtain critical medical, education and therapeutic services for those in need through the non-profit she founded, America's Special Kidz (A.S.K.). Parents of children with a wide range of circumstances -- including autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, and mitochondrial disease -- have turned t…
News
Cancer-Fighting NJ Police Departments Unite For Stricken Mom, Young Son
North Jersey single mom Joanne Bastante-Howard has worked tirelessly for years to help provide critical resources for kids who, like her young son, have Down syndrome. Bastante-Howard, a former advertising and marketing whirlwind, is personally responsible for raising more than $100,000 to help obtain critical medical, education and therapeutic services for those in need through the non-profit she founded, America's Special Kidz (A.S.K.). Parents of children with a wide range of circumstances -- including autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, and mitochondrial disease -- have turned t…
Lifestyle
'Mob Wives' Spin-Off Star Linda Torres Dies Of COVID Complications, 67
"Mob Wives" spinoff "Big Ang" co-star Linda Torres died of COVID-19 complications at Staten Island University Hospital in New York on Thursday. She was 67 years old and had been battling the virus for nine weeks. Torres was a close friend of Angela "Big Ang" Raiola, who was the star of multiple Mob Wives spinoffs, including "Big Ang". After the show went off the air she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was cancer free a year later, but in 2020 Torres's cancer had returned. We are saddened to hear about the passing of Linda Torres. Our hearts go out to her family, friends, an…
News
Bergen County Coworkers Rally For 'Angelic' Special Ed Behaviorist Battling Cancer -- Again
Ashley Van Valen and Jenny Venezio have long called Cassie Romano their angel. The three met each other working in Paramus for Bergen County Special Services, and have since become close friends. "She has this platinum blonde hair," said Van Valen of Dumont. "She lights up a room and she's so soft-spoken." "She's the sweetest, most generous person," Venezio added. "She cares about her friends, family and the students she works with." And so when Cassie was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer last September, Van Valen and Venezio knew they needed to be what their colleague has…
Obituaries
Morris County Native, Addiction Recovery Advocate Heather Ryan Dies After Cancer Battle, 35
Morris County resident, and addiction recovery advocate Heather Ryan died Feb. 7 after a five year battle with breast cancer. She was 35. Born in Dover, Ryan attended Mount Olive High School, where she played soccer, basketball, and ran track, graduating in 2004, her obituary says. Ryan went on to study business and marketing at Villanova University School of Business, where she graduated in 2008, her memorial says. Ryan was then employed in the marketing field for several years, most recently working for Wyndham Worldwide, according to her obit. Outside of work, Ryan loved to spend time …
Obituaries
Belleville Native Susan Fairchild, 49, Dies After 2nd Cancer Battle
The Phillipsburg community is mourning the death of a first-grade teacher and mother of three Susan Fairchild on Aug. 23 after two cancer battles. Fairchild, 49, had worked as a first-grade teacher in the Phillipsburg Primary School district for 22 years, Superintendent Gregory Troxwell said in a statement. A native of Belleville, Fairchild was raised in Forks Township, PA, and lived in Easton at the time of her death, her obituary says. Fairchild graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in education from Penn State University in 1993. As an educator, she was known for her incredible passi…
Lifestyle
Doctors Thought Clifton Breast Cancer Survivor Had Coronavirus -- It Was Leukemia
What doctors initially thought were COVID-19 symptoms for a Clifton teacher and breast cancer survivor turned out to be leukemia. Diana Maksymowicz, 44, was diagnosed with breast cancer on Feb. 21, 2019 -- the day of her daughter, Sia’s, fourth birthday. She underwent rigorous breast cancer treatment, including the removal of her right breast in April 2019, as well as radiation and chemotherapy, which she finished in December. However, tragedy struck yet again late last month, when Maksymowicz -- a basic skills instructor at School 11 in Clifton -- began experiencing flu-like symptoms…
Lifestyle
'I'll Will This Outta Me': NJ Cancer Survivor Shares Moment He Knew He'd Beat Coronavirus, Too
A Bergen County breast cancer survivor says he knew the exact moment last month he was going to beat a severe case of coronavirus, too. There was never a time during John Mormando's 2018 cancer treatment he thought he was going to die. Coronavirus was different, he said. "Chemotherapy and radiation were horrible and I was in pain," the 53-year-old commodities broker told Daily Voice Friday night, "but I never thought they were going to kill me." On March 15, after several days at Ridgewood's The Valley Hospital and a nebulizer treatment, Mormando could barely breathe. He called in his nurs…
Lifestyle
End Of Chemo Marks New Beginning For Wife, Montclair Husband
Jillian Hanson Allegretti had nearly given up on life when she says her now-husband, Max Allegretti, breathed life back into her. It's a line the Andover native included in her wedding vows -- nearly two years after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Through it all, Max, of Montlcair, was by her side. Back then, they weren't engaged yet. All then 25-year-old Jillian had was a promise from Max he'd be there through it all. And he was. during Jillian's last round of chemotherapy, Max asked her to be his wife (it went viral!). The couple tied the knot last month -- cancer-free. Click here…
Obituaries
Maria Sullivan Formerly Of Westfield, 35, Remembered As Warm Teacher, Doting Mom
Maria Sullivan of River Edge is being remembered for her kindness in and out of the classroom. The 35-year-old mom and teacher formerly of Westfield died after a battle with breast cancer on May 21. More than $17,400 had been raised on a GoFundMe as of Wednesday for her children, Molly (5), Keeva (3), and husband Michael. Maria worked as a Kindergarten and first grade teacher at the Orchard School in Ridgewood where she "stressed not only academics to her students, but also the importance of treating one another with kindness and respect," her obituary says. "A champion o…
Neighbors
Community Rallies For Hudson County Sheriff's Officer Battling Breast Cancer
A law enforcement officer and mom from North Bergen is fighting breast cancer, the disease that claimed her mother's life 12 years ago. Cindy Molina Vazquez, 42, who has been diligent about getting breast exams in the wake of her mother's death, recently discovered she had a Stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma. Vazquez, a Hudson County Sheriff's Officer, and her husband are to maintain a normal environment for their 7-year-old daughter as she battles her illness. Vazquez is also harvesting her eggs for future fertility treatments. Unable to work until her health improves, the officer has…
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