Obituary of Anne Conley Dropkin

Anne Conley Dropkin, eldest of five children, was born on September 13, 1967, in Summit, NJ to Ellen and Larry Dropkin. She was raised in Spotswood and Monroe Township, as well as spending summers and weekends in Pt. Pleasant Beach.  She resided in Monmouth Junction, and most recently in Kendall Park with the Beck family.  A proud college graduate of TCNJ, Annie earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.  Annie (the “Queen of AAA”) worked for the AAA Automobile Company in a variety of roles including as supervisor and service and membership call representative for over 21 years. 

Just prior to her 13^th birthday, Annie had a diving accident resulting in her being a quadriplegic for the next 39 years.  As a quad, Annie overcame a litany of challenges over the years with the love and support of her family, friends and medical teams.  However, being a quad did not define Annie.  She led a productive, exciting, fun-filled life attending Broadway plays in NYC, concerts, and events such as Father Alfonse concerts on the beach in Point Pleasant and Top of the Rock in Rockefeller Center.  Annie was a world traveler. Hawaii, Egypt and Israel were but a few of her favorite excursions.  Annie participated as a volunteer in the Big Brother/Big Sister program for many years. She was a positive force in the lives of young people especially Raymond and Kathy.

Annie’s big, Irish, Catholic family was the source of great pride and set the foundation for Annie setting her priorities as God and family. Her parents, siblings, grandparents, many aunts, uncles and cousins were her biggest supporters, admirers and fans. 

Unequivocally, the most precious and enduring aspect of Annie’s life was her relationship with Jesus.  A devout Catholic, Annie attended church faithfully.  She truly was a living example of Christ’s love on Earth.  Praying the rosary daily was a source of joy and strength for Annie.  As she stated on many occasions, to be a “good and faithful servant” was her goal.  She was a longtime parishioner of St. Cecilia’s Church. She also was a familiar face attending mass and Bible study at St. Augustine’s.

Annie was predeceased by her loving mother Ellen Funcheon Dropkin, her adoring grandparents Anne and Jim Funcheon, her uncle Peter Funcheon, and her special cousin Jim Sheil.

Left to cherish her memory are her father Larry Dropkin of Boca Raton, Fl, her sister Betzi and brother-in-law Scott Beck of Kendall Park, brother Larry Dropkin, Jr. of Raritan, sister Mary and brother-in-law Ray Hegyi of Scotch Plains and dear, sweet sister Katie Reilly Dropkin of Manalapan.  Two of the special loves of her life are her only niece Kayla and only nephew Scotty Beck.  Katie, Kayla and Scotty were also Annie’s partners in adventures whether to NYC, Point Pleasant or numerous other locations and experiences including most of the Catholic churches in the tri-state area!  A host of aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, co-workers and caregivers will continue to remember Annie as the loving, generous to a fault and feisty woman she was.  We will all continue to miss her presence in our lives, but we will strive to make her proud of us as we continue our journeys on Earth.

 The world is better because you were in it, Annie.  You made us better.  See you on the other side.

Visitation will be 1-5pm on Sunday January 19, 2019 and 8:15-9:15am on Monday January 20, 2020 at the M. David DeMarco Funeral Home, Inc. – 205 Rhode Hall Rd., Monroe Twp., NJ  08831.  Funeral services will begin at 9:15am on Monday from the funeral home.  A funeral liturgy will be 10:00am at St. Augustine of Canterbury RC Church – 45 Henderson Rd., Kendall Park, NJ  08824 followed by committal and cremation at Holy Cross Burial Park Crematory Chapel – South Brunswick.