Obituary of Diana N. Rodriguez

Diana Nicoletta Rodriguez ( nee Speranza) , 86, of Little Falls, formerly of Wayne and Barnegat, died suddenly on January 16, 2023.  She is predeceased by her  mother Rose Federici Youngs, Stepfather John Youngs, brother Umberto John Speranza, beloved husband Andrew and her son Andrew.

In 1959, Diana and Andrew  were married at St. Michael’s church where Diana went to school as a young girl .  During their 61 years together they shared a special relationship and  built a family that would serve as a role model for generations to come. A dedicated daughter, wife, and mother, she raised her four children while supporting her husband  as he built his business and was ever present for her mom.

Diana worked as a secretary for the Family Life Bureau in Paterson and St. Christophers Church in Parsippany before retiring.  She was affectionately known as Dee to her bosses who couldn’t live without her.

For many years , Diana was an active parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Church in Paterson and made countless friends who loved spending time with her.  She knew how to make people feel special and never forgot a birthday or milestone.  Her favorite pastimes included spending time with her family and friends, shopping for unique gifts,  traveling, playing cards, Bingo, and trips to the Jersey Shore and Atlantic City.

Diana couldn’t wait to become a grandmother and was so proud of each and every one of her grandchildren.  Her apartment was filled with pictures and she looked forward to being a part of all their special moments.

Survivors include  children Rosemary Logue of Flanders and husband Ron, Diane Dolecki of Stroudsburg, PA, and husband Rick, and Christine Coppola of Verona and husband Rob; and her grandchildren: Kevin and his fiance Leslie, Kyle, Dana and her fiance Jesse, Shane, Gabriella, Robert, Christopher, and Nicholas, who all affectionately knew her as Nana Dee Dee.  She was also deeply cherished by her nieces and nephews: Sal, Michael, Lisa, Johnny, and Gina as well as many aunts , uncles, and cousins of the Speranza and Federici families and countless dear friends from North to South Jersey who will miss her tremendously.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations in Diana’s  name be made to The Salesian Sisters of North Haledon or Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research  Funeral Liturgy at Holy Angels R.C. Church, 473 Main Street, Little Falls, NJ on Saturday at 9:30 AM.  Entombment, Calvary Cemetery, Paterson, NJ.  Visiting at Keri Memorial Funeral Home, 125 Main Street, Lincoln Park, NJ on Friday from 3-7 PM.