Heather Louise Vaccaro

Heather Louise Vaccaro, age 52, of Wayne passed peacefully at home with the comfort of family by her side.

She was born in Paterson to Carol and Robert Phelan. Heather was raised in Wayne where she graduated from Wayne Valley High School with the class of 1991. Heather began her undergraduate studies at West Virginia University and completed them and her master’s degree in education at William Paterson University in Wayne.

Heather began teaching at the Rockaway Board of Education, and after raising her children, she worked as a science teacher for the Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Wayne.

Heather was a loving and kind soul, known for her gentle spirit and the warmth she brought to everyone around her. As a devoted wife, mother, daughter, and sister, she embraced her family with open arms and an open heart. Heather found joy in the simple pleasures of life, whether it was basking in the sun in Long Branch or exploring the scenic trails of the Ramapo Mountains. Her love for Border Collies was unmatched, with her first beloved dog, Callie, having passed away and now sharing her life with Chloe. A talented cook, she delighted her family with mouthwatering ribs, savory pinwheels, and banana crunch cake. Even in her quieter moments, she found excitement in watching shows like Survivor and Wheel of Fortune, where her competitive spirit shone through. In her final days, the spark of her personality remained evident when her husband, Nick, jokingly claimed he would tell everyone he had beaten her at Wheel of Fortune, prompting her to open her eyes with a playful challenge. Heather’s legacy of love and joy will forever be cherished by those who knew and loved her.

Nick and Heather’s love story began as a beautiful friendship that blossomed against the backdrop of the Jersey Shore. In 2001, their bond deepened when they went of their first date to the San Gennaro festival in New York City, where the lively atmosphere mirrored their growing affection for one another. Nicks heartfelt proposal came at their Union Beach residence, although they had envisioned a romantic moment at Sandy Hook, the firerce winds forced them indoors, making the day even more memorable. They celebrated their union with a destination wedding in Mexico on March 30, 2007, surrounded by loved ones, and their marriage flourished into a deep and loving partnership. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Julianne and Fredrick. Heather and Nick built a life filled with love, joy, laughter, and unwavering support for each other.

Heather was the devoted wife of seventeen years to Nick Vaccaro; she was the devoted mother of Julianne and Fredrick; she was the dearly loved daughter of the late Robert Phelan (d. 2023) and Carol Armando and the late Richard Sr(d. 2018); loved sister of Melanie Giordano and her husband Robert of Oakridge NJ, Jennifer Wells and her husband Stephen of Lakeworth, FL, and Rich Armando and his wife Noelle of Wayne, and John Armando and his wife Beth of West Milford. A loved aunt of 11 nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to St Jude Children's Research Hospital would be greatly appreciated.