Obituary

Margaret Rufino Setteducati known as “Margie” to many, daughter of Vincent & Catherine Rufino & the youngest of five siblings, was born & raised in the Bronx, living in New York most of her life. She moved to New Jersey in 2018 to be closer to her grandchildren.

In her twenties she tried a number of jobs including catalog modeling, stock “boy” at Lerner’s clothing store & sales for a sock company, before taking on a position as a credit analyst at Montefiore Hospital–it was the work she was most proud of.

Margie was generous with her time, coaching cheerleading for Pop Warner football, serving on her condo’s management board, & volunteering for Hi-Tor Animal Care Center.

Her love for animals is well-known — she regularly fed the wild deer, birds and squirrels, and provided a home to many pets over the years including dogs, cats, & a green-feathered conure named Autumn. She was particularly attached to her yorkie, Merlyn & her chihuahua, Tiny (she’d be upset if we didn’t mention them specifically).

Our mom was fiercely passionate in her roles as mother and grandmother. She instilled in us a love of books, music, & the natural world. As a “Nonna,” Margie loved to play games and paint with her granddaughters, and often hosted sleepovers & special dinners for them complete with brownie sundaes and endless snacks.

A natural story-teller, our mom could weave an epic from a trip to the grocery store. She was quick-witted, had an eye for fashion & design, & a knack for drawing. She loved the autumn season, rereading Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman every October & dressing in costume each Halloween. She made the best scrambled eggs & chicken soup. At the end of our first day back to school she would greet us (& later her grandkids) with a tray of brownies. Margie loved playing word games, watching Hallmark movies, & dancing.

She passed peacefully on July 28, holding a small stuffed deer that belonged to Tiny & her mom’s missal. Her last words were, “I want to go home.”

If so moved, please make a donation in her name to:

Grace Healthcare Services

105 Fieldcrest Ave, Suite 402

Edison, NJ 08837