Diane Lee Laubach, 69, of Nescopeck, passed away December 6th, surrounded by her loving family at home, after a long courageous battle with cancer. She is now reunited with her partner of 30 years, Sabatino “Sam” DeFebo.
Born April 20, 1952, in Berwick, Diane was the daughter of the late Elwood and Edith (Mahler) Knorr, of Wapwallopen.
Diane was part of the last graduating senior class of Newport High School in 1970 and went on to graduate from Empire Beauty School before being deemed permanently disabled following a brain aneurysm in 1999. Her accomplishments did not come from an education, but rather from her philanthropy and love for her family. Some of the organizations she volunteered with are; Berwick Elks Lodge #1138, Commonwealth Home Health & Hospice, St. Mary’s Church, Berwick Relay for Life, For The Cause Teen Center, McBride Memorial Library, Berwick Theater & Center for Community Arts, Reliance Fire Company’s Keeping Kids Warm, and the Berwick Area United Way.
Surviving are her daughter, Amy Shortlidge and her husband, Noel; grandchildren: Ayrin and Tegan Shortlidge; her siblings: Peggy Stradnick, Dean Knorr, and Kay German and her fiancé, Ron Kile. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews: Jennifer Redis and her husband, Keith; Julie German; Mandy Lewis and her husband, Kevin; Robert Vosburg; and the late, David Knorr. Diane is also survived by her aunt and uncle, Betty and Jim Kishbaugh; partner’s son, Brian DeFebo and his wife, Brandi, and their three sons: Carter, Anthony, and Dylan; and her lifelong best friend, Sharon Tressler.
Diane, better known as “Mom-mom,” was a grandmother to many more than just her five grandchildren. Her contagious smile could always be spotted under the basketball hoop during pregame warmups, as she passed out sticks of green 5 Gum to the Berwick Girls Basketball team when Ayrin was in high school. Her exuberant cheers could be heard from any outfield while she encouraged Tegan’s baseball team to play their best. While crossing all her fingers, she would chant for her “Taser” to hit her a homerun or throw the perfect pitch. It did not matter if you needed envelopes prepared for a mass mailing, a ride to the orthodontist, or a caretaker for your family member, Mom-mom was there to help before you could even ask. Her memory will live on through her family’s involvement in the community and passionate love for one another.
The family would like to thank Fox Chase Cancer Center, especially Dr. Sanjay Reddy, Dr. Jennifer Higa, and Dr. Joshua Meyer and Commonwealth Home Health & Hospice Berwick, especially Jessica Oakley, Victoria Talanca and Lisa Strachko.
Visitation will be Sunday, December 12th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a brief service beginning at 1p.m., at Heller Funeral Home, 633 East Third Street, Nescopeck. Burial will be at the convenience of the family at Silver Maple Cemetery in Wapwallopen, where Diane will be laid to rest next to her mother and father.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Berwick Area United Way (107 South Market Street, Suite 6, Berwick, PA 18603), For The Cause Teen Center (1130 Sixth Avenue, Berwick, PA 18603), or the nonprofit organization of your choice.
Online messages of comfort can be sent to condolences@hellerfuneralhomellc.com.
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