Nancy R. Pagano

Nancy (Ignazio) Rose DiOrio Meeker Pagano, 101, passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2020 of natural causes. The family remembers their beloved mother, grandmother, and aunt as a “firecracker.” She truly had a spark for life that was like no other. Those who knew Nancy, admired her for her devotion to her family. If you were lucky, you were invited over to enjoy her world-class cooking; some family favorites were escarole “seaweed” soup, manicotti, and veal stew. Nancy developed a love for dancing after meeting her second husband, Victor, who taught her how to dance. When they attended events together, it was guaranteed that they would be the first on the dance floor to get the party started. Over the years, people began to recognize Nancy’s signature form of expression: “the finger wave.” You knew she was really getting her point across once she started waving that finger at you! Nancy is fondly remembered for her many “Nancy-isms;” a recent favorite was “You know my mom was a little old lady and she lived ‘til the day she died!” The fact that she lived to be 101 years old came as no surprise to the family since she had such a spunky and feisty personality; she was a legend in her own right and will never be forgotten, as her memory lives on in our hearts and in our minds.

Nancy is preceded in death by her first husband, Albert H. Meeker, Sr.; her second husband, Victor J. Pagano; and her son, Albert H. Meeker, Jr. She is survived by her son, William J. Meeker; daughter, Joyce J. Meeker and her husband, Richard A. Marvel; 8 grandchildren, Dennis Meeker and his wife Katie; Tiffany Meeker Hayman and her husband, Michael; Christina Meeker; Nicholas Meeker; Anthony DeZao; Lisa Marvel Mattia and her husband, Matthew; and Nicole Marvel; 3 great-grandchildren Mackenzie and Delaney Hayman; and Connor Meeker; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday October 22, 2020 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home 26 Mule Road Toms River, NJ 08755. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday October 23, 2020 at 11:30 am at St. Joseph RC Church in Toms River, NJ. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Toms River, NJ. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.quinn-hoppingfh.com.