Joyce V. Rago

Joyce V. Rago, age 85, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 9th, 2024, at Serenity Hospice – Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Joyce was born on June 11th, 1939, in Trenton, NJ where she was a lifelong resident.
She worked as a supervisor for the NJ State Department of Health, Addiction Services for 26 years, where she was recognized for her dedication and work ethic. Her love for her job was apparent from the many work stories that she shared with her family up until the end of her life. After retirement, she continued to work as a volunteer for the Hamilton Township Library and the pantry at St. Raphael Church where she was a faithful parishioner.
For many years, Joyce organized annual New York City bus trips to see Broadway shows. She had a wanderlust for travel and especially cherished all her family trips to Walt Disney World. She was a country music lover and an avid non-fiction reader. Joyce loved reading autobiographies about politicians and celebrities, her favorite being those about Elizabeth Taylor, her lifelong idol. She read countless books about her, watched her movies, managed to catch a glimpse of her in NYC, and was given the nickname "Liz" by everyone who knew her. Through the years, Joyce became the unofficial photographer for her family and friends. She captured every event in her life and accumulated hundreds of photographs. In her last years, she found joy reliving special moments through her photos and anyone stopping by for a visit would find them spread out on her table.
She was predeceased by her parents, Edward Rouse and Gladys Forker Rouse, and devoted husband of 59 years, Peter Rago, as well as many other family members. She leaves behind her three loving children - Karen Rago, Melissa Cacace, and Leslie DiLeva, her sister Judy Exner, her niece Barbara Suderman, her nephew David Exner, her two sons-in-law James Cacace and James DiLeva, and her niece Patti Salaga, who was very special to her. She had a heartfelt love for her family and was especially adoring of her two grandchildren, Chelsea Tozour and Anthony Cacace.
She always loved sharing laughs and a glass of wine (or two) with her family, friends, and neighbors. It brings her loved ones great comfort knowing that her last journey has reunited Joyce with her husband, dance partner, travel companion, and the love of her life, Pete.
Family and friends may pay their respects on Friday, December 13, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at the Hamilton Brenna-Cellini Funeral Home, 2365 Whitehorse-Mercerville Rd., Hamilton, NJ 08619. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM at St. Raphael's Church, 3500 So. Broad St., Hamilton, NJ. Cremation will follow and will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Joyce to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital online at www.stjude.org or via mail at 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
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