Margaret Rapetti Stetzer

Margaret “Maggie” Rapetti Stetzer, of Margate City, New Jersey, passed away on October 23, 2026, at the age of 94. Born in Atlantic City to Peter and Antoinette Rapetti, whose family owned restaurants in Atlantic City and Ventnor, Maggie graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1950. She worked as a private secretary at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia with an internationally-renowned pioneer in thoracic surgery, as well as with a prominent cardiologist. She married Dr. Samuel Stetzer in 1952 and raised her family in Margate, New Jersey.

Maggie devoted 25 years to The City of Margate Building Department and was active in many civic and charitable organizations, including the Board of Education, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Charity League, American Red Cross, and Literacy Volunteers of America. Margate was home for decades, and Quincy Avenue remained at the center of her life. Her home was always the place to be, with an open door, food on the table, and friends and family welcome. The beach was a special part of her life, and generations of Margate families grew up under her umbrella. In later years, her front porch became a neighborhood gathering place, where friends and neighbors stopped by to visit and enjoy some candy. Maggie seemed to know everyone, loved making introductions, and had a wonderful sense of humor and a gift for making people laugh.

Maggie was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Antoinette “Toni” Lee. She is survived by her daughter, Leslie Finkelstein, son-in-law, Aaron, their three sons, Andrew (Leora), Brian (Kristin), and Casey (Jessica), Debbie and great-grandchildren, Dillon, Nathan, Austin, Lucy, Benjamin, Lily, Fizzy, and Daphne; her son, Scott, and his sons, Wyatt and Wade; and her brother, Peter. She also leaves her beloved nieces, Cindy Feinstein and Patti Lee, who held a special place in her heart and home, as did her “second daughter” Lisa Gottlieb. The family is forever grateful to Maggie’s Angel Team – Chloe, Lynn, Mary Jean, Debbie, Joyce, and Ciline.

To her family, she was Mom, The Mother, Grammy, and GG. Affectionately known to most as “Margate Maggie,” she will be remembered for her independence, welcoming spirit, humor, chocolate cake (really, ask anybody!), and the many lives she touched.

A family celebration of Maggie’s life is planned in Margate, New Jersey in the spring of 2027. Details will be shared when arrangements are finalized.

If you choose to honor Maggie with a gift, Lucy the Elephant, Margate’s own National Historic Landmark, would love your support.