Diane (Valese) Cassidy

Diane Cassidy

Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Sister, 72

Mrs. Diane (nee Valese) Cassidy, 72, of Nutley, NJ passed away peacefully on February 12, 2021 at her home surrounded by the love of her husband, children and grandchildren.  In honoring Diane’s wishes,  the funeral will be held privately.

Diane was born in Belleville and grew up one of 12 children to their late loving parents, Daniel and Rose (nee Ferraro) Valese.  She resided in Nutley for the past 35 years.

She was a dedicated wife and mother who took pride in loving & caring for her family.  She, along with  her husband Kevin, instilled faith, honesty, trust, integrity, and most importantly the foundation of a strong family within their children.  Diane filled the house with a feeling of pure joy, love and generosity. Nothing made her happier than her house being filled with laughter. She had tremendous strength and inspired her children to love unconditionally, to stick together no matter what, and to always be proud of who they are. 

Diane especially loved the holidays knowing it would bring the family together and fill the house with the spirit of hope and love.  Her childlike enthusiastic spirit and traditions would light up a room.  At Christmas time, every inch of the house was beautifully decorated and wrapped in lights.  Diane had an exceptional talent for making a house feel like a warm and loving home.

Diane’s fondness for cooking was evident in the hours and passion she put into every meal. She welcomed everyone into her home with open arms, a plate full of food and a pot of coffee. Diane always put the needs of others before her own, teaching her children by her example.

She loved talking on the phone with her loved ones while doodling on the newspaper, acting silly, hula hooping, singing and dancing around the house. She was truly a character, full of life, and always made those around her laugh.  Diane had endless talents from creatively painting walls and furniture to tiling floors and the fireplace. She artistically made curtains and hung them to perfection. Every spring she looked forward to planting flowers. 

Diane lived for her family and loved them with all her heart. With courage and remarkable strength, she held on to life for as long as she could. Until we meet again, we will keep her in our hearts.  

She is survived by her beloved husband, Kevin Cassidy; her devoted children Dawn Morgan and her husband Gary, Tammi Trible, Kevin Cassidy, Jimmy Timmons, Kristina Smallman and her husband John, and William Cassidy and his wife Noel; her cherished grandchildren Gary Jr., Nicholas, Ashley, Louis III, Erica, Madison, Sophia; her precious great-grandchild Louis Anthony Pastena IV; her loving brothers Joseph, Daniel, Fred, Pat, John and Donald Valese; and her loving sisters Marie Giuliano, Annabelle Calenda, Rosanne Zarro and Janet Buongiorno.  She is also survived by her many loving nieces and nephews.

Diane is predeceased by her parents Daniel and Rose (nee Ferraro) Valese, her son-in-law Wayne Trible and her brother Anthony (Midgie) Valese.

Donations in Diane’s honor may be made one of her favorite charities; St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959,  www.stjude.org; the Shriners Hospitals for Children, shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/shc, or to a battered woman’s shelter in your community.  

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