Elizabeth Ann (Naples) Acaba

Elizabeth Ann (Naples) Acaba, age 56 and a longtime Groton resident, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday October 10, 2019, after an 8 year battle with Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET) cancer. She was the loving wife of Ralph Acaba.

Liz was born on June 3, 1963 in Staten Island, NY, a daughter to the late Donald and Margaret (Kelly) Naples. The family moved to Warwick, NY, where she graduated from Warwick Valley High School as a three sport athlete, was captain of the swimming, basketball and volleyball teams, and was also the homecoming queen her senior year. She received a bachelors degree in business from State University of New York at Binghamton. Upon graduation she worked in import/export as a licensed Customs Broker in Los Angeles, where she met her husband. They were married in Southern California, where they lived for several years and had two sons, before moving to Massachusetts.

Liz enjoyed spending time with family and friends, hosting gatherings, and creating a welcoming home. She was a world traveler and enjoyed experiencing new places. Liz enjoyed the outdoors, and was fond of horseback riding, snorkeling, hiking, paddle boarding and skiing. She also enjoyed reading, attending exercise classes and walking with her friends. Her favorite vacation spot was a villa on the beach in the Turks and Caicos, and her favorite flowers were sunflowers and the white daisies that bloomed in her yard.

Liz was a very giving person who always put the needs of others before herself. After being diagnosed with pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer tumor (NET) cancer in 2011 she formed a team of walkers who participated in the annual Jimmy Fund Boston Marathon Walk for the past 6 years. The team was called the Zebra Divas and they raised over $100,000 in support of NET cancer research at Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

In addition to her husband, Liz is survived by her sons Joshua and Lucas, sisters Nancy, Diane and Christine (husband Stephen), and brothers Richard and David (wife Susan). Liz also had 20 beloved nieces and nephews, and her loving in-laws, Ralph and Elsie Acaba. Liz was predeceased by her brother Donald.

Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Liz on Tuesday evening, October 15, 2019 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM in the Badger Funeral Home, 347 King Street, Littleton. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at 10:30 AM at St. James Church, 13 St. James Ave, Groton. Interment will follow at Groton Cemetery.

Donations may be made in Liz's memory to:
Dana Farber Cancer Institute Jimmy Fund
Attn: Jessica Hogan
10 Brookline Place West, 6th floor, Brookline, MA 02445

Or online at http://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/zebradivas