Rebecca M. Vaccariello

September 27, 1974 - September 26, 2021

Albany-It is with profound sorrow that we announce that Rebecca M. Vaccariello, 46, passed away at home in Naples, Fla., on Sunday, September 26, 2021. Born in Albany, New York, on September 27, 1974, Rebecca was adored by her proud parents, Kathy and Tom Vaccariello, sister, Kate Vaccariello, and beautiful niece, Annabella Vaccariello, all of Albany. Rebecca grew up in Albany and attended St. Catherine of Siena School and Albany High School, and graduated from SUNY Geneseo and Albany Law School. While in Albany she worked at Dreyer Boyajian LLP and clerked for Hon. Henry Zwack. Among her many interests, Rebecca enjoyed tennis and traveling with friends to play it, which is how she discovered and fell in love with Naples, Fla. She moved there in 2012 and went on to establish her own legal practice there. She also served as a commissioner to the Collier County Housing Authority and on the advisory board for Legal Aid Services of Collier County. She was a past president of the Collier County Women’s Bar Association and a current director for the Collier County Bar Association. For Rebecca, her law practice was a vocation, an exercise in service and compassion for people in need. Through her participation in Legal Aid she ardently encouraged her colleagues to take on pro bono work. In 2017 her exceptional work earned her the Legal Aid Society of Collier County’s Attorney of the Year award. Rebecca also volunteered with Collier County Honor Flight, which flies veterans to Washington, DC, to see memorials at no cost, and the Naples Winter Wine Festival, which raises funds for children’s charities. Rebecca made friends wherever she went, whether traveling, at work, or the farmers’ market, immediately putting people at ease with her quick wit, kind heart, and easy laugh. She was also an expert at playing with the Barbie Camper. Rebecca was always helping, fixing, working to make life better for her clients, community, friends, and family, and brought a truly unique balance of seriousness of purpose and great good humor to whatever she did, whether it was helping a friend paint a room or representing a client in court. In addition to her parents, sister, and niece, Rebecca is survived by many cousins, including Kathy McNessor and her husband, Mike, with whom she was especially close. She also leaves behind a lifetime of good friends whom she cherished, including her dear friend and companion, Steve Kotler, and her dog, Jake. Rebecca was predeceased by her grandparents, Marion and Dominick Vaccariello and Anne and John Foley, her aunts and uncles, and her beloved dogs, Sammy and Nicky. Rebecca touched so many lives through her friendship and her work. Her positive example will resonate forever among the countless people who loved and admired her, who are better for having known her. We will treasure every moment we had with Rebecca. We are heartbroken beyond words to have lost her. We will carry her with us in our hearts every day, always. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Rebecca’s family Friday, October 8, 2021 11:30 am to 12:30 am at the McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany, NY 12206 and remain for a Service of Remembrance at 12:30 pm. Please only enter the funeral home from the rear parking lot doorway; unvaccinated individuals must wear a mask and practice social distancing. To leave a message for the family please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com Those who wish may send contributions in Rebecca’s name to Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave, Menards, NY 12204