Cecilia Driza, 54, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family, on Saturday, April 6, 2013. She courageously battled various forms of cancer. At the age of 20, she was faced with her first cancer diagnosis of Hodgkins Disease.
Cecilia aimed for the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC after graduating from Arch Bishop Walsh High School but was faced with her first cancer diagnosis of Hodgkins Disease in 1979. This de-railed some of her plans for schooling, but not for her life and dreams for her future. In a pre-internet era, Cecilia researched and found the best medical and holistic means to triumph over Hodgkins. During the course of treatment, she continued to build a successful career.
Since 2006, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer she has faced these resulting “complications from Hodgkins treatment” with the poise and grace for which she was famous. She survived and thrived again and again until a year ago when cancer appeared in her bones. The latest appearance of cancer, and the necessary treatment protocol, were too much even for Cecilia’s warrior spirit.
Funeral services will be conducted by the Zarro Funeral Home, (www.zarrofuneralhome.net), 145 Harrison St., Bloomfield on Thursday, April 11 th at 9:15 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Belleville. The burial will be private. Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 10th from 4-8 pm.
She was born in Belleville and has lived in the Parsippany area for the past 30 years. At the time of her passing, she was the partner of John Scirocco, Jr. acting as Executive Vice President and COO of Scirocco Financial Group, Inc. located in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. She and her brother, Charles were co-owners of Leens Lodge in Grand Lake Stream, ME., a historic sportsmans hunting and fishing lodge-and a dream of theirs come true.
Cecilia is survived by her parents, Rita ( Marotti) and Charles Driza Jr.;
daughters, Angela McCleary and her husband, Michael and Nicole Cerbone;
brother, Charles Driza III; cherished grandson, Anthony McCleary; nephew Charles Driza IV; niece, Jessica DeBerry and her husband, Tommy; she shared her heart and home with her true love, Daniel Castrillon. She is also in the hearts and memories of countless family, friends and colleagues who are keeping her cancer fund-raising efforts alive in her memory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer c/o Scirocco Group, 777 Terrace Ave., Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604.
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