Ruby Maceira

Ruby Maceira née Storch passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Canterbury Village in West Orange, New Jersey at the age of 81.

Ruby is survived by her two daughters, Helena Chicketano  Wayne, NJ and Donna Espenberg, Branford, CTand her son-in-law Ty Chicketano of Wayne NJ and her 7 grandchildren (Dominique Ocello, Shayna Ocello, Michael Ocello, Amy Chicketano, Anthony Chicketano, Christopher Tenorio and Liliana Tenorio. Ruby was preceded in death by her husband Antonio (Papa Tony/Pop Honey) Maceira in New York and her siblings, Alvin (Abby) and Sandra (Sandy) Storch in New York.

Ruby was born on July 25, 1937 in Brooklyn, NY to Anna Reiman and Aaron Storch. She married Arnold (Buddy) Espenberg in 1961. Ruby was remarried to her long-time sweetheart, Antonio Maceira after a nearly 25-year courtship beginning in 1981 and was married to him until his passing in 2016.

As a young woman, Ruby was very proud to have worked as a supervisor for Longines watches with her brother Abby.  When she was 25, Ruby gave birth to her first daughter, Donna and two years later to Helena; generous and giving, Ruby always doted on her daughters and tried to give them the best life she could and taught them the important life skills of independence and a “can-do” attitude of anything a boy could do a girl could do better! Later in life, after her children were more independent, Ruby ran a plumbing business together with Buddy and was a very successful business-owner and entrepreneur!

During her three-decade relationship with her sweetheart, Papa Tony/Pop Honey, Ruby enjoyed being a homemaker and took pride in a beautiful and well-appointed home in Woodside, NY. She enjoyed entertaining her family during Thanksgiving and other holidays, hosting dinners out and loved country music, seafood and going out to eat to different local restaurants. One of her favorites, the Fame Diner, became a mainstay for Ruby during the last few years in her residence in Woodside and loved their coffee so much, she would order it to be delivered to her home. Even during her last year and a half living at Canterbury Village, Ruby was one of the most popular residents and was in charge of calling her fellow residents to gather for mealtimes.
Ruby is fondly remembered by her family and friends as a sassy, witty, and feisty woman whose humor and caring affectionate demeanor will be sorely missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to send donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001 (866) 232-8484, email: info@alzfdn.org or Please consider a donation to the employee holiday fund at Canterbury Village at 33 Mt. Pleasant Avenue, West Orange NJ 07052.

Condolences can be sent to the family at either: The Chicketano’s -- 119 Tall Oaks Drive, Wayne NJ 07470 or Donna Espenberg -- 280 Brushy Plain Road, Branford CT 06405.

The family would like to thank all of the caregivers at Canterbury Village, 33 Mt. Pleasant Avenue, West Orange NJ 07052, and especially Ed Piotrowski, Director of Nursing and his wonderful team at Canterbury Village who took excellent care of Ruby Maceira during her time there.