Obituary of Graciela P Alparone

Graciela "Grace" P. Alparone Graciela "Grace" P. (nee Pelagio) Alparone passed away Monday, March 8, 2010 at St. Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in El Paso, Texas, she grew up in New Orleans and had resided in Philadelphia and East Windsor before settling to North Brunswick. She had attended the University of Pennsylvania and University of Wisconsin, earning a Bachelors degree in Law and Business prior to completing her MBA. Grace began her career as a professional fund raiser for various hospitals. She later became the Director of Development of the Red Cross of New Jersey in Fairfield and most recently has been serving as the Director of Planned Giving for the Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic ( RFB & D ) in Princeton, NJ. Grace was active in the placement of animals and was proud of her ability to have placed over 100 needy animals. In addition, she is the proud owner of Beaureguard, a Great Pyrenees mountain dog who is a certified therapy dog and star of the Blue Buffalo dog food trading cards. Predeceased by her father, Michael Pelagio and her brother, Artoro, she is survived by her husband, Edmund Alparone, Jr. Her mother, Emma Pelagio and a sister, Emma Pelagio and three beloved dogs, Beaureguard, Buttercup and Mimi. All funeral services will be held privately under the direction of the McCriskin - Gustafson Home For Funerals, 2425 Plainfield, Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ 07080. Donations in her memory may be made to the ASPCA or any organization to help in the aid of homeless pets.