Mary E. Coakley Accordino

Mary E. Accordino, 65, of South Amboy, passed peacefully on Monday, April 8, 2024, at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born to Jim and Gerry Coakley and grew up in South Amboy, where she met and married the love of her life, Russell Accordino. Mary and Russ settled in South Amboy and raised their children Jayson and Vikki there. South Amboy was also the base for their successful business, Metro Ophthalmic.

Mary graduated from St. Mary’s High School and Kean College with a BA in Social Work. She was employed at Central Valley School and Amandla Crossing prior to joining Russ at Metro Ophthalmic. Mary loved and cared for her community, volunteering for many years with the Domestic Violence Prevention Team and the Office of Emergency Management. Her generosity of spirit was unparalleled.

What was truly unique about Mary was that in addition to the unstinting love and devotion she extended to family and friends, was the love, care, and help she gave to anyone in need. She was a wonderful mentor to many who struggled and needed a hand—Mary’s answer was “yes,” before she even knew fully what the request was. Many young adults were blessed by her generosity and the opening of her home to them. Her home was your home if you needed it, for as long as you needed it. She walked the walk. She was love in action. Mary was intelligent, observant, caring, considerate, kind, and had the best sense of humor. (Her side eye and priceless comments were the punch-line to many stories.) She treasured her family and friends, and her time with them at home and on vacation. In all things Mary did—the home she created, her work, her volunteerism and outreach to those in need, and her social life—she made the world a better place. She will be deeply missed by those who were lucky enough to know her, love her, and be loved by her.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, her brothers James (Jabs), Vince, and John, and her beloved four legged family members Rafferty, Ralph, Harley, Joey, and Max.

She is survived by her loving husband Russ, her adoring and dedicated children Jayson (Vanessa) & Vikki, grand dog Jack, her brothers Bob (MaryKay) and Michael (Beth), her sisters-in-law Susan, Gail and Laurette, many aunts/uncles, cousins, nieces/nephews, and her chosen family, the Mulligans of South Amboy, who loved her as one of their own.

Visitation will be on Thursday April 11, 2024 from 4 to 8pm at The Gundrum Service “Home For Funerals” 237 Bordentown Avenue, South Amboy. Cremation will be private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

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