Megan Macaluso

Megan Patricia Macaluso, 19, of Bloomfield passed away at home on Sunday, August 18, 2013, after a long and courageous battle with cancer and surrounded with love by her parents and siblings. Born November 10, 1993, Megan was a 2012 graduate of St. Mary's High School in Rutherford and attended the University of Scranton this past year. She was the treasured daughter of Maryanne (nee Copeck) and Mark Macaluso, loving sister of Mark W., Matthew, Michael, and her twin Melissa Macaluso, cherished granddaughter of Patricia (nee Petriella) Copeck, the late William Copeck, Dora (nee Passafaro) Macaluso and John Macaluso. Megan was the beloved niece of William and Doris (Dugan) Copeck, Robert and Lisa (Kasof) Copeck, Patricia Copeck, Thomas Copeck, John and Nancy (Flemm) Macaluso and Kathleen (Macaluso) and Tony Krass. She was the adored cousin of Melanie, Allison, Madeline, William, Brandon, Isabella and Taylor Copeck, Andrew Koehnlein, Kimberly Puglisi Tinsley, Amber Macaluso Kitrinos and Vincent Macaluso. Megan, or Looch, as many knew her, was blessed to have many, many friends. There was a small group who loved her unconditionally and stayed by her side from the minute she was diagnosed until forever. They were more like sisters than friends. Sarah Buckley, Amanda Crook, Tiffany DeLeon, Megan McCann, Nicole Orlando and Christine Sheridan, along with Meg's twin Melissa have spent the last 5 years inseparable. They have laughed and cried together. Travel and partied together. And shopped, and shopped and shopped together. Above all they always had fun and their love for each other is palpable. Last, but not least, John Blaise Pestana was the love of Meg's life. They have been together for almost 3 years, most of that time Meg was sick. Johnnie gave up the last two years of his life dedicating himself to Meg. They made the most of the time they had, laughing far more than crying, and trying to squeeze a lifetime of love and memories into two short years. They were fortunate to have been sent to Puerto Rico a short time ago by generous colleagues of Mark's. They had the romantic "honeymoon" that Meg knew she'd never have. Johnnie has won the admiration and respect of everyone who has met him because of how deeply and profoundly he loved Meg. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 3-8pm at Frank Halpin's Brookdale Funeral Home, 1284 Broad Street, Bloomfield. The Funeral Mass will be in the Church of St. Mary, 91 Home Avenue in Rutherford, on Thursday at 11 am. There will be no gathering at the funeral home prior to the Mass. Please visit www.halpinfh.com for directions and condolence messages. In lieu of flowers, kindly make online contributions to www.friendsofmeganfund.com or mail to Friends of Megan, PO Box 1035, Bloomfield, NJ 07003.