Plan for the Future
Nancy Trugman McDonald, 69, of Morristown, NJ, passed away on February 26, 2024. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December 2023, Nancy fought the disease with everything she had. After a short and difficult battle, Nancy passed away peacefully at home with her husband and cherished family by her side.
Nancy grew up in Newark, NJ with her parents and five siblings where she graduated from Vailsburg High School in 1972. She married her husband Richard on December 2, 1972. They were blessed with 2 daughters, Jennifer and Kelly, and made a home in Union, NJ where they resided for 28 years. While raising her children, Nancy worked full-time and attended Kean College where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1985. She then attended Rutgers Law School, graduating with her law degree in 1989. During her time at Rutgers, she was a member of Law Review, the highest honor for law students. Nancy furthered her education with a Masters in Corporate Law from New York University in 1994.
Nancy started her career in law as a paralegal at Fox & Fox law firm in Newark, NJ where she ultimately became an attorney, made Partner, and ran the Corporate Law Department for many years. After Fox & Fox she worked for seven years at Bressler, Amery and Ross in Florham Park before starting her own practice, McDonald Law Group, LLC in January 2008. Her goal was to create a firm owned and operated by women that would provide flexibility to women lawyers when they needed it most, and advancement on a reasonable and equal pace.
Nancy finished her prestigious career at Fox Rothschild in Morristown, NJ as a Corporate Partner retiring on March 31, 2023. During her career Nancy also served as in-house general counsel at Longwood Industries, Inc. for 12 years. She also provided pro bono legal services to women in need and served as a Trustee of the Frog Crossing Foundation, a private foundation dedicated to supporting the needs of women worldwide. Nancy’s career goal was to break the glass ceiling for women in the field of law. She didn’t just break it, she shattered it!
Upon her retirement Nancy took on her full-time role as Grandmother to her 5 grandchildren who she cherished more than anything in this world. She was never happier than when she was with them, whether it was sitting in the bleachers at their sporting events, looking at artwork they made for her, playing with them at home, or spoiling them on vacation in her favorite place…Cape May, NJ.
Nancy was the beloved wife of Richard for 51 years. She was the loving mother of Jennifer Easton (James), and Kelly Acque (Michael). She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Jake and Emma Easton, Avery Schuster and Amelia and Michael (Jr.) Acque, her sister Pamela Bain (Marc), her brother Robert Trugman, and her father-in-law, Eugene McDonald. She is predeceased by her parents, Jack Trugman and Anne Guariglia, her brother Richard “Woody” Trugman, her sister June Zucker and her beloved baby sister, Deborah Ventriglia.
Visiting hours at Bradley, Brough & Dangler, 299 Morris Ave. in Summit will be on Thursday, February 29th from 4 to 8pm. Family remembrances and a celebration of her life will be held on Friday, March 1st at 11am at Bradley, Brough & Dangler. Interment is private.
