Diane DeQuinzio Obituary
Piano instructor, beloved life partner, daughter, and sister, 65
Diane DeQuinzio, 65, entered into eternal rest on January 6, 2024, surrounded by her devoted life partner of 32 years, Mary Tucker, and the rest of her family.
The daughter of Thomas and Carmela DeQuinzio, Diane grew up one of five children in Jersey City. After graduating from St. Dominic Academy, she began a career as a computer programmer for Royal Insurance Company, eventually relocating with them to Charlotte, NC. She loved the south and made her life there, but kept her Jersey City roots close to her heart.
In 2001 she proudly earned her BA in Piano Performance from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and went on to teach countless students the joy of piano. Music was the center of her life and she shared her talent with family and friends throughout the east coast.
Diane was a skilled dart player, who, when she lost the use of her right arm, became a champion as a lefty; an amateur chef; a lover of the beach; a plant nurturer; a bingo caller; a party organizer; her family and friends’ photographer; and the ultimate Foo Fighters fan, traveling with Mary throughout the country to attend dozens of their concerts.
Diane will be remembered primarily for the joy she brought to this world. She loved people and believed in and celebrated their goodness. She lived a life of gratitude and modeled a positive attitude, even in the most dire of circumstances. She made life fun.
Diane was predeceased by her father, Thomas, and by Mary’s daughter, Jennifer Stegall. In addition to Mary, she is survived by her loving mother, Carmela; her cherished siblings, Denice DeQuinzio (New York, NY); Marilyn and Steven Hart (Darien, CT); Thomas and Marie DeQuinzio (Hasbrouck Heights, NJ); and Jeanmarie and Oliver Armas (Chatham, NJ). Her memory will be forever cherished by her nieces and nephews: Thomas, Emily, Joseph, Grace, and Thomas Hugh DeQuinzio; Nicholas, Robin, Christopher, Sarah, and Eliza Hart; Jordan and Henry Casserley; and Maria and Isabel Armas.
Arrangements have been made through the Greenville Memorial Home in Jersey City, and the viewing will be Friday, January 12, from 4:00 to 8:00. On Saturday morning, there will be a 10:00 memorial ceremony, followed by entombment at Holy Name Mausoleum on West Side Avenue. In February, a celebration of her life will be held in Tega, Cay, SC.
Donations in her loving memory can be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.
“I’m a new day rising; I’m a brand new sky to hang the stars upon tonight.” – Dave Grohl
