Koinonia Academy exists because of the Lord's faithfulness and the dedication of countless individuals over the past 40 years. The Paraclete Award is a special way we honor those who have devoted so much of their lives to making KA what it is today.
Two such individuals, Nora Coletta and Marge Margiotta, left an indelible mark on everyone they met. These two women gave to Koinonia Academy so selflessly during their time teaching in the elementary school.
In celebrating KA's 40th year, we are proud to honor their memory and legacy by presenting their families with the Paraclete Award.
Nora grew up in Union, NJ, and was a member of St. Michael’s parish, as the youngest of two daughters. Her father passed away when she was a teenager. Due to the early passing of Nora’s father, she was unable to fulfill her dream of going to college to become a teacher. In 1970, Nora met Bob, and they were married in October 1971. After their marriage, they lived in Newark for three years before moving to East Hanover, NJ, where they went on to have three children. There, Nora became actively involved in St. Rose of Lima Parish. It was through St. Rose that Nora’s sister began attending prayer meetings and invited Nora to join her one evening. This was the beginning of her spiritual transformation. Following this, Nora connected with the People of Hope and felt a deep desire for what they had.
After joining the People of Hope, Nora and Bob relocated to Berkeley Heights with their three children. In 1991 Nora’s dream of teaching came to fruition when she was asked to teach half day Kindergarten when Koinonia was in Warren.
It quickly became evident that she had a natural talent for teaching. Nora infused her teaching with love, creativity, laughter.and most importantly the Love of Jesus. She spent 12 years teaching at KA. During this time, Nora took a sabbatical to rest, but her plans changed drastically when her close friend and sister in the Lord, Marge Margiotta, was diagnosed with cancer. Nora's sabbatical was now dedicated to supporting Marge through treatments and providing care and companionship. The one thing some people knew about Nora was…she loved dancing. If you entered her kitchen in July and “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire “ was playing, you had to dance with her. No one got away. Christmas was all year for Nora.
Following her sabbatical and retirement, Nora was honored in the 2003 yearbook by her first kindergarten class. Shortly thereafter, Nora was diagnosed with brain cancer. Despite her fight and fervent prayers for healing, Nora passed away 14 months later. Through her battle with cancer Nora showed us how to live and in the end how to die, with faith in God. She is deeply missed and cherished by many, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of all who knew her and were touched by her work at KA.
Marge Margiotta was born and raised in Bergen County, NJ. She started her career as a secretary and customer service representative at Becton Dickinson, and it was there she met the love of her life, Robert Margiotta. They got married in 1974 and started their beautiful family.
Marge and Bob were looking for more support in their spiritual and family life, when they heard about the People of Hope Community. They moved to Berkeley Heights where they had 5 children. Through the People of Hope, Marge and Bob’s lives grew closer to the Lord, and enrolled their children into Koinonia Academy shortly after the school opened.
Faith and education were always important to Marge. She taught CCD at her parish, St. Mary’s in Rutherford, and when her youngest began attending KA, Marge started teaching there too. For years, she had the joy of working alongside her best friend, Nora Coletta.
Although Marge didn’t have an official degree in teaching, she taught out of love, and the Lord blessed that. She was a mother – and she treated every student like they were home, and they were hers. She cared deeply about their learning and academic success, but even more that her students knew they were loved by her and, most importantly, by Jesus.
Even while undergoing her cancer treatment, she was still in the classroom teaching until she physically couldn’t do it anymore. Marge passed away On May 27th, 2011. In a testament to her impact, the school closed for her funeral. The high school choir sang at her Mass, and letters from students poured in, expressing love and gratitude.
Marge loved Koinonia Academy. She loved everything about the school and its mission—the faith, the community, the students. Her legacy of love, faith, and dedication continues to inspire those who walk through its doors.