Shirley Fabrizio

Shirley Aaron Fabrizio died peacefully on November 3, 2014 in West Orange, NJ surrounded by her loving family.

A funeral service will be held at the Galante Funeral Home, 2800 Morris Ave. Union on Friday at 11 AM. Cremation will be held privately. Visitation is on Thursday from 4-8 PM.

Born in Linden, NJ on October 24, 1929, Shirley was the daughter of the late George and Lena (nee Bower) Aaron and the wife of the late Michael Fabrizio. She was predeceased by her sister Violet Alose. A longtime resident of Linden, she lived in Millburn for 12 years.

Widowed at 42, she raised three daughters and worked as a secretary in the Linden Department of Recreation while earning a degree in English and Psychology from Montclair State University. She had a career as an advertising executive and later became a realtor. She was an avid reader and enjoyed writing, crocheting and painting.

She was endlessly delighted by her family, and the 4 C’s: coffee, chocolate, cigarettes and cars. Her door was always open to lots of family and friends enjoying good times. A beautiful, petite force of nature, she was a strong and resilient role model for her daughters and was “like a great friend who could drive” to her grandchildren.

Shirley leaves behind a legacy of family togetherness for her daughters: Michele Fabrizio and her husband Robert Kopech of Short Hills, Sharlene Langner and her husband Tadeusz (Ted) of Maplewood, Donna Fabrizio and her partner Stephen Ohm of Linden; her adored grandchildren: Michael Kopech and his wife Jamie Hellman, Whitney Kopech, Matthew Langner, Mark Langner, and a great-granddaughter, Lily Kopech.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Daughters of Israel, 1155 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052.