Obituary of Diane L. Lardiere

Diane L. Lardiere (nee Dassing), a longtime Florham Park resident, died peacefully in her daughter’s home on Friday, March 13, 2020 surrounded by the love of her family. She was 81.

Diane was born in Poughkeepsie, NY on January 8, 1939 to the late Joseph and Rose Dassing. She graduated from Irvington High School.  She attended one year of college and then began her lifelong career as an insurance agent at Prudential.  This is where she met her future husband, Gerald Lardiere. The couple married in Newark, NJ on August 14, 1969 then settled in their Florham Park home where they raised their daughter and lived for many years.

Together they ran a very successful private insurance company from their home called the Gerald Lardiere Agency.  Diane was a detail oriented, organized and highly regarded professional.  She always went the extra mile for her clients and worked diligently with honesty and integrity.  Most importantly, working from home gave her the opportunity to also be an amazing mother and wife for over 20 years.  In 1995, the James A. Connors Agency in Morristown NJ acquired the business Diane and Jerry worked tirelessly to build.  Diane continued to work for James Connors and maintained the high standard of customer service until December of 2011.  During this time, she was grateful for the beautiful friendships she had and all of the laughs that got her through the challenges of caring for both her husband and mother.

Diane was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend that always put others before herself. She was a woman of great faith, positivity and love who would help anyone in need. Diane’s family and friends were dearest to her and she cherished time spent together eating, talking and laughing.  She was especially close with her neighbors in Florham Park, whom she loved dearly. Diane was an excellent cook and she always went out of her way to help prepare food for any and every event.  She was famous for her lasagna, stuffed shells, artichoke dip, bunny cake and most of all—meat pie.

Diane enjoyed family vacations to Long Beach Island, dining out, trips to Atlantic City with friends and loved ones, card games, word games and even learning how to play canasta at the age of 79.  She was an avid sports fan and loved the New York Giants. But her true love was attending the musical events, sporting competitions and social gatherings for her grandchildren.  She was undoubtedly their biggest fan.

Diane has left her mark on the world and will forever hold a special place in the hearts of her loving family and the many dear friends she leaves behind.

In addition to her parents, Diane was predeceased by her beloved husband, Gerald Lardiere, in 2004; her daughter-in-law, Michele Lardiere; and her granddaughter, Victoria Lardiere. She leaves behind her only daughter Jennifer Liss and her husband, Daniel; stepdaughter Diane Venuto and her husband Sam; stepson Robert Lardiere; five cherished grandchildren, Alexa, Matthew, and Ryan Liss, Amanda & Ricky Venuto; her dear niece, Paula Jeklinski; and a very dear friend, who was like a daughter, Margaret Seely.

Funeral services will begin at 9:00AM on Monday, March 16, 2020 at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison, followed by a 10:00AM Liturgy of Christian Burial held at Holy Family RC Church, Florham Park. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a visitation to celebrate Diane’s life held on Sunday from 2-4PM and 7-9PM at the funeral home.