Angela V. Wright

On July 23, 2026, of Washington Twp., formerly of Fair Lawn, NJ.  Age 83.  Devoted mother of the late Karen Buckley.  Dear mother-in-law Frank Buckley.  Loving grandmother of Stephen Dixon, II, Laura Dixon, Justin Cumming (Jenn) and Victoria Buckley.  Proud great-grandmother of Molly, Jonah, Greyson, Amanda, Austin and Kaylynn.  Dear sister of Richard Vanore (Teri).

Angela was a lifelong resident of Fair Lawn, NJ, until her later years when she came to live with her daughter, Karen, and son-in-law, Frank, in Glassboro, NJ. She ultimately settled at Cardinal Village, where Karen served as the Executive Director.

A dedicated educator, Angela was a faculty member of the Hawthorne School District in Hawthorne, NJ. She began her career as a teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School, and after attaining a Master’s Degree at William Paterson University, she became the long-time librarian and permanent substitute teacher at Hawthorne High School. Angela loved—and was fiercely loved by—the faculty, staff, and especially the students of Hawthorne High. Sewing was truly one of her favorite hobbies, and she voluntarily devoted her time, sewing skills, and personal money to ensure Hawthorne’s drama club students had everything they needed for their fall plays and spring musicals.

Angela was always thinking of others. She was the de facto nursemaid for the faculty and staff at Hawthorne; anyone who was ill could count on a visit from Angela to help brighten their day. In a profound act of selflessness, when district cuts were necessary, Angela chose to take early retirement so that younger staff members could keep their jobs. She continued as a substitute teacher, needed nearly every day. Her generous spirit also extended to her community, where she volunteered at a homeless shelter in Hackensack.

As a single mother, Angela worked tirelessly to help support herself and Karen, taking on numerous jobs such as working the night shift at Dunkin’ Donuts and commuting many miles away to Pennsylvania to work as a telemarketer.

She had a quick, dry wit and would repeatedly recount stories of things she did in her youth, always laughing at herself as she told them. Although Karen never had children of her own, all the children from Karen’s relationships instantly became Angela’s grandchildren, whom she relentlessly and joyfully showered with gifts for every holiday.

Angela will be sorely missed by family and friends. She always kept in close touch with her loved ones through daily phone calls.

Although Angela had a notoriously terrible sense of direction—once making a wrong turn while driving and ending up in the middle of a parade—she will surely find her way to her daughter. There, she can continue to bug Karen by asking endless questions such as, “What’s the weather like? Is it raining? Is it snowing?”.

Rest in peace, Angela. May your broken heart be mended. We will all miss you.

Family and Friends are welcome to attend her viewing Thursday 4:00-6:00 PM at the Egizi Funeral Home, 119 Ganttown Road, Washington Twp.  Angela’s Funeral service will follow at 6:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Angela’s memory may be made to St. Jude, Children’s Research Hospital

“A Life Well Lived Is Worth Remembering”