MARLENE M. DIEFES

VISITATION: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2023 2-4PM AND 6-8PM STICKLE-SOLTESZ FUNERAL HOME PRAYER SERVICE: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2023 7PM STICKLE-SOLTESZ FUNERAL HOME Marlene M. Diefes, 84 years, formerly of Oak Ridge, NJ passed away on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. She was born on April 25, 1938 in Springfield, MA to the late Annie (nee Sullivan) and the late Arthur Sumner Rackliffe. Marlene spent most of her adult life in Jefferson Township (Oak Ridge) and raised four children. She was known to all of their friends as Mrs. D., Mom, “Marleeeeen” or Grammy. You could always find her at every sporting event and she was by far the loudest one cheering! She knew everyone in Jefferson, maybe not by name, but by their face or by which one of her kids they graduated with. Her true calling in life was as a caregiver. She cared for young children for years, raised her own kids and then later in life became a home health aide, caring for the elderly. Never wanting to leave Jefferson, she finally settled down in Jefferson Chase and continued her caring for some of her best friends, Marilyn, Vito, and Josie. One of her favorite things to do was walking to the Dunkin Donuts to have her Caramel Swirl coffee and people watch. Marlene was a parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle RC Church in Oak Ridge, NJ and was a member of the Rosary Society. She was predeceased by her sister Elaine Holland. Marlene leaves behind four children, Bill Diefes of Lake Shawnee, NJ, Scott Diefes of Lake Wales, FL. Brenda Cox and her husband Dallas of Winchester, Virginia, and Donald Diefes and his wife Kathleen of Tinton Falls, NJ; her four grandchildren: Michael, Jennifer, Daniel and Jordan and a brand-new great granddaughter she didn’t get to meet, Charlotte James; along with “adopted” granddaughters Casey, Bailey, and Kiley; as well as her four nieces and one nephew. The family will receive visitors on Monday, February 20, 2023 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm with a prayer service at 7pm at the Stickle-Soltesz Funeral Home, 187 La Rue Road, Newfoundland, NJ 07435 (for GPS use 1 Post Place). On line condolences and directions: www.sticklesolteszfuneralhome.com.

MARLENE M. DIEFES

April 25, 1938 - February 15, 2023