66° A Few Clouds
Obituaries
NJ 8th Grader's Sudden Death Spreads Sadness, $24K Raised For Family NJ 8th Grader's Sudden Death Spreads Sadness, $24K Raised For Family
NJ 8th Grader's Sudden Death Spreads Sadness, $24K Raised For Family A South Jersey eighth grader has died suddenly, leaving her school and community in mourning. Malani Matthews, a student at Middle Township Middle School in Cape May Court House, died early Thursday morning, Feb. 26, Superintendent of Schools Stephanie DeRose said in a letter to families dated Feb. 27.  Members of the District Crisis Intervention Team were made available to provide counseling and emotional support for students, the superintendent said. Therapy dogs were also brought on-site to comfort students and staff. Malani GoFundMe photo “We extend our deepest sympathy an…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Support Swells After Rutgers Student Killed In Route 27 Crash Support Swells After Rutgers Student Killed In Route 27 Crash
Support Swells After Rutgers Student Killed In Route 27 Crash Amber Torres was set to graduate from Rutgers University with a degree in science before the 22-year-old Colonia resident was killed in a car crash on Route 27 on Wednesday, Feb. 18, according to a fundraiser set up to support her family. "Amber was a cherished daughter, sister, granddaughter, girlfriend and best friend. She was the kind of person who lit up every room she walked into," Niove Ramirez, who organized the fundraiser, wrote. "Her smile was contagious, her heart was generous, and she always put others before herself. She had a way of making everyone feel seen, valued, and lo…

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by Sam Barron
Obituaries
After Randolph Native's Sudden Death, Daughter Raises $93K For Her And Her Sister After Randolph Native's Sudden Death, Daughter Raises $93K For Her And Her Sister
After Randolph Native's Sudden Death, Daughter Raises $93K For Her And Her Sister More than $90,000 has been raised for two New Jersey girls following the sudden death of their mother. Melissa Conca of Manasquan, died on Tuesday, Feb. 17, according to her obituary on the O'Brien Funeral Home website. She was 51 years old. Conca's daughter, Ava Lamonica, started a GoFundMe campaign for her and her sister, Sophie, that had raised $93,000 as of Saturday, Feb. 21. "Our lives changed forever when our mom passed away suddenly from an undiagnosed heart issue at just 51 years old. She was our beautiful best friend, and an amazing role model with a courageous soul who loved…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Wayne Paraprofessional, Mom Jaime Elyce Coon Dies, 48 Wayne Paraprofessional, Mom Jaime Elyce Coon Dies, 48
Wayne Paraprofessional, Mom Jaime Elyce Coon Dies, 48 Jaime Elyce (née Schweigert) Coon, a Wayne resident who worked with children with special needs and volunteered throughout her community, died on Sunday, Feb. 8. She was 48 years old. Jaime worked as a paraprofessional at Windsor Learning Center in Pompton Lakes, where she supported children with behavioral challenges and special needs, according to her obituary from Gaita Memorial Home. She also worked at Bogies Hoagies in Hawthorne and volunteered at the Living in Freedom Group Home in Haledon, where she regularly attended events and gatherings, her obituary reads.  Jaime was predece…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Pequannock Native Anthony Kulzy Jr. Dies, 15 Pequannock Native Anthony Kulzy Jr. Dies, 15
Pequannock Native Anthony Kulzy Jr. Dies, 15 Anthony Kulzy Jr., of Seaside Park, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at his home, according to his obituary on the Ryan Funeral Home website. He was 15 years old. Born in Pequannock, Anthony was a student athlete at Central Regional High School in Berkeley Township, where he played baseball, basketball, and was on the cross country team, his obituary says. An avid New York Yankees fan, Anthony loved playing sports, online gaming, watching TV with his dog, Gigi, and thought about becoming a history teacher, his obituary reads. Anthony was preceded in death by his father, Anthony …

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Retired NJ Police Lt. Dies After Cancer Battle, 55 Retired NJ Police Lt. Dies After Cancer Battle, 55
Retired NJ Police Lt. Dies After Cancer Battle, 55 A Sussex County police department is mourning the loss of one of its own. Retired Newton Police Lt. Michael Monaco died after a long battle with cancer, the Newton Police Department announced Sunday, Feb. 15. Monaco died following a long and courageous battle with cancer, his department said. He was 55 years old. Monaco began his public service career as a dispatcher for Andover Township from 1990 to 1993. During that time, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice/Sociology from Bloomfield College. He joined the Town of Newton as a Class II Special Law Enforcement Officer in 19…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
UPDATE: Jefferson House Worker Killed In Route 206 Crash With Chevy Tahoe, Prosecutor Says UPDATE: Jefferson House Worker Killed In Route 206 Crash With Chevy Tahoe, Prosecutor Says
Update: Jefferson House Worker Killed In Route 206 Crash With Chevy Tahoe, Prosecutor Says Support is on the rise for a recent UConn graduate and former high school wrestler who was killed in a North Jersey crash earlier this month. Jamie Lynn Aughenbaugh, 22, was behind the wheel of a Toyota Corolla when she was involved in a collision with a Chevrolet Tahoe on Route 206 on Tuesday, Feb. 3, just after 2:50 p.m. in Flanders, according to Meghan Knab, a spokesperson for the Morris County Prosecutor's Office. Both drivers and were taken to Morristown Medical Center, where Aughenbaugh died. The cause remains under investigation, Knab said. Aughenbaugh was a recent UCONN gradua…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Services Set For Bergen County Mom, Infant Son Who Died Days Apart Services Set For Bergen County Mom, Infant Son Who Died Days Apart
Services Set For Bergen County Mom, Infant Son Who Died Days Apart Services have been finalized for Tiana Vega and her infant son, who died days apart. Visitation for 33-year-old Vega and Baby Asani is set for Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Aloia Funeral Home in Garfield. A joint funeral mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12 at St. Francis of Assisi RC Church in Hackensack, with entombment at the Hackensack Cemetery. Vega delivered Baby Asani Xavier on Feb. 2,  according to a GoFundMe launched in the wake of the tragedies. Asani was “was born sleeping," the campaign says. Following the delivery, Vega was admitted to th…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
NJ Mom, Newborn Son Die Days Apart; $16K Raised To Help Grieving Family NJ Mom, Newborn Son Die Days Apart; $16K Raised To Help Grieving Family
NJ Mom, Newborn Son Die Days Apart; $16K Raised To Help Grieving Family Support is on the rise for the family of a New Jersey woman who died days after her newborn son, according to a GoFundMe created for the family. Tiana Vega, whose Facebook page shows she is from Garfield, delivered Baby Asani Xavier on Feb. 2,  organizer Danielle Thomas said. Thomas said that Baby Asani “was born sleeping. Following the delivery, Tiana was admitted to the intensive care unit due to sepsis, according to the fundraiser.  “She fought with incredible strength and courage, but her body was tired,” Thomas wrote. “Surrounded by love, Tiana gained her angel…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Bergen County Pediatrician Who Fought For Later School Start Times Dies At 66 Bergen County Pediatrician Who Fought For Later School Start Times Dies At 66
Bergen County Pediatrician Who Fought For Later School Start Times Dies At 66 A Bergen County pediatrician who spent decades advocating for children’s health — including helping bring later school start times to local districts — has died. Dr. Anne Catherine Robinson (Videtti), of Ridgewood, died on Monday, Jan. 26 surrounded by her family, according to her obituary on the Feeney Funeral Home website. She was 66 years old. Born in Italy, Robinson immigrated to Bayonne with her family at age two before settling in Ridgewood, where she was raised. She attended Wesleyan University, where she met her future husband Dennis, “the love of her life,” and they married the sum…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Morristown EMT Richard Hathaway Dies Suddenly Morristown EMT Richard Hathaway Dies Suddenly
Morristown EMT Richard Hathaway Dies Suddenly Richard Hathaway, a longtime Morristown EMT and paramedic, died Monday, Jan. 26, according to his obituary published on the Doyle Funeral Home website. “He dedicated the vast majority of his life to patient care, primarily in the pre-hospital setting as a paramedic,” his obituary states. “Many coworkers, patients, and family members were very relieved when Richard could offer medical advice or respond to a call.” “A sense of calm would come over anyone that needed help when Richard was around,” the obituary states. “One of his life purposes was to help people and he did that beyond belief.”…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Elizabeth Preschooler Dies Of Leukemia: 'Unimaginable' Elizabeth Preschooler Dies Of Leukemia: 'Unimaginable'
Elizabeth Preschooler Dies Of Leukemia: 'Unimaginable' Amelia Carreiro, a student at Wesley Hall Nursery School in Westfield and an Elizabeth resident, recently died of leukemia, according to a fundraiser set up to support her family. "Amelia brought joy, curiosity, and a bright smile to everyone who knew her. She will always be a cherished part of our school family," Melissa Romelli, who organized the fundraiser said. Amelia's mother Susie is a staff member at the preschool.  "During this unimaginable time, we want to surround Susie and her family with the same care and support she has always given to the children she work…

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by Sam Barron