PATRICIA (Pat) M. PICARELLO

Patricia (Pat) M. Picarello, 59, of Sussex, NJ, passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice in Newton, NJ. Pat was born on February 13, 1955 in Brooklyn, NY to Mary (Harold) and John Diehl. She grew up in West Milford, NJ and married Michael Picarello, her high school sweetheart. They moved to Sussex County in 1988 where they raised their three children and have resided ever since. Pat worked at Yetter’s Diner in Augusta, NJ for 15 years. She loved working there. She was such a people person and made all of her customers laugh and whoever met her usually requested her as their waitress whenever they came in. She made lifelong friends with the people who worked there. After the diner she worked at Skylands Center for Autism for about 5 years. She did the overnight shift with adults who were developmentally disabled. She had 5 men in her group home and loved each one of them. She would always have the sweetest things to say about them after her shift. Pat has been battling cancer for about 15 years. It all began with Stage 4 breast cancer. She went through stem cell replacement therapy, chemo and radiation. She remained in remission until she was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2008 and then stomach cancer in 2010. Her final battle began in May 2014. She was always a fighter. When she was diagnosed the first time she just said that there was no way she was ready to leave her kids and would do whatever it took to stay with them. She was a fighter right up to the very end. Even though she was in pain she fought with all she had. Pat was the most amazing, strong, warm-hearted person. She brought a smile to everyone and made people feel right at home. She made all her kid's friends feel so welcome and loved that they all called her Mom. After her husband passed away in 2008 Pat went to live with her daughter Kaitlin, her son-in-law Matt and her grandson Torin. She had such a special relationship with Torin. She took care of him while his parents worked full time. Torin adored her and she was such a huge part in making Torin into the sweet, caring and affectionate boy he is today. Heaven must have really needed an angel, they just better be ready for the toughest woman they have ever gotten. We love you Momma. Pat was predeceased by her beloved husband Michael Picarello in 2008, her loving parents Mary and John Diehl; and her dear sister Kathleen Diehl in 1960. Pat is survived by her adored children Kaitlin Coykendall and her husband Matt Jr; Victoria Picarello and Michael Picarello III; her loving sister Laura Paul and her dear brother Wes Diehl. She also leaves behind her cherished grandson Torin Coykendall and her loving niece Stephanie Paul. The family will receive visitors for a memorial gathering and service from 12 noon to 4pm on Saturday, December 27, 2014 at the Branchville Fire House, 1 Railroad Avenue, Branchville, NJ 07826. In lieu of flowers memorial donations are requested to be made in Pat’s name to her family to help with medical bills as well as the bills that came in during the time her family was out of work taking care of her. Donations may be sent to: Kaitlin Coykendall, P.O. Box 533, Sussex, NJ 07461.

PATRICIA (Pat) M. PICARELLO

February 13, 1955 - December 16, 2014