Diane C Kennedy

Diane Claire Enoch Kennedy died on May 1, 2026 in Whiting, NJ. She was 93 years old. Diane was predeceased by her husband, Bernard J. Kennedy (Bernie); her sisters Joan Everett, Maryann Boston, and Sharon MacMillan; and her parents Walter and Marie (Reilly) Enoch.

She is survived by her children Theresa (Kennedy) Porch and husband Tom of Whitehouse Station, NJ, JoAnn (Kennedy) Maulshagen and husband Tom of Beaufort, NC, and Michael Kennedy and wife Sherry of Toms River, NJ; her grandchildren Katherine Lasseter and husband Brett, Emily Porch and husband John Natelli, Sherry Morales and husband Mike, Nicole Maher and husband Dillon, Ryan Kennedy and wife Fiona, Matthew Maulshagen and fiancé Carley Clary; her great-grandchildren Siena Morales, Tara Lasseter, Mason Morales, Dylan Natelli, Dean Natelli, and Connor Maher; her sisters- and brothers-in-law William Kennedy and wife Peggy, Mary Alice Melofchik, and David Kennedy and wife Maryann, as well as many cherished nieces and nephews, and many dear friends who were like family to her.

Diane was born in Elizabeth, NJ, and grew up in Elizabeth, Hillside, and Roselle, NJ. She attended St. Catherine’s elementary school and Benedictine Academy High School. While in high school Diane took acting lessons in New York, and acted in a number of productions in New York (and fondly spoke of having played the roles of Emily in Our Town and Roxanne in Cyrano de Bergerac). Upon graduating high school, she received a scholarship to attend Mount Saint Scholastica College, a Catholic women’s college in Atchison, Kansas. Although she had never seen the college, she enrolled and traveled there by herself by train to embark on her college career. She graduated from “the Mount” with a Bachelor’s degree in teaching with a specialty in early childhood education.

Diane worked as an elementary school teacher for 40 years, almost all of which was spent teaching first grade. She started teaching in Colonia, NJ. After two years she switched to the Elizabeth public school system to teach at Madison Monroe School #16, where she spent the rest of her career, teaching decades of children to read. Throughout her life she had a passion for children’s books, and took a special delight in choosing just the right book for a child at a specific moment in their life.

Diane and Bernie raised their family in Roselle, where she lived for many years. She was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church. She found great comfort in her religion, and tried to give others comfort by adding their concerns to her list of prayers. She was proud of her Irish heritage, and enjoyed reading about Ireland and Irish history. Although she didn’t get to travel much, later in life she was thrilled to finally take a trip to Ireland with her sister Sharon and two of their daughters and granddaughters, as well as to cruise to Alaska with her three sisters.

Diane delighted in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and was known to advise their parents not to “sweat the small stuff,” reminding the adults that things always work out if you let kids be kids. She loved animals, particularly dogs. Her charitable efforts were a constant thread throughout her life. She delivered food for Meals on Wheels, volunteered at Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, worked with a team to catch and release stray cats to be seen by veterinarians, and donated to countless children’s organizations and religious causes. To those close to her, she was a wonderful, intelligent, caring person, who embodied some wonderfully amusing contradictions. She valued nutrition, but greatly preferred dessert over dinner. She collected kitchen gadgets, but hated to cook. She hated coffee but loved coffee ice cream. She loved doctors and nurses, but hated taking medicine. She loved staying current, but hated most technology and regularly broke devices or gave up using them.

After retiring from teaching, Diane moved to Whiting, NJ, where she lived in Crestwood Village for about twenty years, before moving to Pines Village 6 years ago. She enjoyed the community of friends that she met there, and was grateful for the thoughtful and skilled care she received in her later years. She passed away peacefully in her room at the Pines, while under the care of hospice.

Visiting hours will be held from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Tuesday May 12, 2026 at Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home 26 Mule Road Toms River, NJ 08755. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday May 13, 2026 at 10:45 am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church 30 Schoolhouse Rd. Whiting, NJ 08759. A Private Burial will be on Thursday May 14, 2026 at St. Gertrude Cemetery 53 Inman Ave Woodbridge Twp., NJ 07067. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Diane's memory to the Popcorn Park Animal Refuge at https://ahscares.org/.

Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.quinn-hoppingfh.com.