Deborah Ann Cioffi

Deborah Ann Cioffi, a loving mother, grandmother, and nurse, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at the age of sixty-eight (68), surrounded by the love of her family.
Born on January 11, 1957, in Brooklyn, New York, Deborah was the cherished daughter of the late John and Mary Kelly.
Raised in the vibrant Windsor Terrace neighborhood of Brooklyn, she was a proud graduate of St. Joseph High School. Her passion for education led her to the College of Staten Island, where she laid the groundwork for a career dedicated to caring for others. She later earned two Masters Degrees, a Master of Science in Administration (MSA) from Central Michigan University and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Monmouth University embodying her commitment to lifelong learning.
Her healthcare career began at Caledonian Hospital in Brooklyn, where she met her future husband, John Cioffi. They were married on October 31, 1981, and started their family in Brooklyn. After living on Staten Island, New York, they eventually settled in Manalapan, New Jersey in 1992, where Deborah quickly became an integral part of her community.
A devoted nurse, Deborah held several important roles during her distinguished career. She was the Director of Emergency Services at RWJBH Monmouth Medical Center and later served as a Risk Management Specialist at Hackensack University Medical Center JFK. She was a proud member of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), where she passionately served as the NJ State Delegate and held various leadership positions, including Chair of Government Affairs for the NJENA. Her exceptional service was honored with the NJ Emergency Nurses Leadership Award in 2012 and the ENA Award for Quality Safety & Injury Prevention in March 2025.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Deborah was known for her unwavering love and support for her family. Whether it was cheering at sporting events or planning family gatherings, she made it a point to be present in the lives of her children and grandchildren. Deborah had a huge heart, with a larger-than-life personality. Her love for her family and her ability to always make others feel special were hallmarks of her character.
Her legacy lives on through her husband, John, her children, Daniel and his wife Kate, Nicole, and Christopher, and her cherished granddaughters Bella and Lucia. She is also survived by her brothers, Edward Kelly and his wife Margaret, and John Kelly. Also, by her niece Erin Kelly and nephew Patrick Kelly.
Deborah was a shining light to all who knew her. Her caring nature, compassion, and commitment to making the world a better place, whether at the bedside or in her own home, have left an indelible mark on the hearts of everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
Family and friends are invited to gather and celebrate her life on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, from 3:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Michael Hegarty & John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals and Cremation Service, 3377 US Highway 9, Old Bridge, NJ. A Funeral Mass will take place on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 10:00 am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 2805 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Brooklyn, NY. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY. After the services, her family invite all to join them for a repass lunch at her favorite restaurant, Ponte Vecchio, 3863 Route 516 East, Old Bridge, New Jersey.
In honor of her lifelong dedication to the nursing profession, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) Foundation Scholarship Fund to establish a scholarship in her name. This fund will support nurses attending continuing education conferences something Deborah always championed.
Donations can be made online at https://portal.ena.org/donatenow?pid=a1B8W00000C63BJUAZ
or by mailing a check to: ENA Foundation, 930 E. Woodfield Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173. If mailing a donation, please include a note indicating your donation is in tribute to Deborah Cioffi.
Deborah will be missed more than words can express, but her love and her legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.