Dianne “Dee” Mardell DeSmet Good passed away on Feb. 4, 2022, after a brief illness.
She was born on Sept. 8, 1935, in Chicago, Ill., and was the youngest child of Joseph and Albertine DeSmet who had emigrated from Belgium after World War I. She grew up in a simple and loving home, learning the importance of hard work, fiscal responsibility, honesty and integrity … values she lived by. While in college she met the love of her life, Anthony “Tony” Good. They were wed on Sept. 6, 1958 and soon moved to Buffalo Grove, Ill., to start a family. In 1969 they moved to Succasunna, N.J., with their dog Sadie and over the next 30 years raised their five children as they welcomed countless guests into their home. These days were filled with laughter and love, visiting with neighbors, attending their children’s sporting and school events, taking memorable vacations and helping their kids understand the error of their ways. Upon their retirement to Washington, N.J., Dee and Tony spent many happy years traveling around the world, enjoying their beach house in Ocean City and visiting loved ones.
Dianne enjoyed celebrating the holidays at home and was a keen decorator and baker. She was especially fond of going on cruises with family and friends and learning new things on Elderhostel trips. She loved movies, bowling, music and dancing, and was particularly interested in history and reading novels (especially while waiting for her “chickadees” to return home at night). She was an avid gardener and wonderful cook who could literally make something out of nothing. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society, volunteered with several charitable organizations and was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church.
Dianne was predeceased by her parents and brothers Albert (Al), George Hubert (Hubie) and Eugene (Jim) DeSmet, husband Anthony, and sons Gregory and Daniel. She is survived by her children Christopher, Audrey and Matthew, her grandchildren Brian, Mark, Courtney, Taylor, Hannah and Ryan, great-grandchildren Charles and Amelia, 15 nieces and nephews, caring family members Eric, Jane, Heather, Erica, Kimberly and Jeff, and Anne, and best friend Marge. Throughout her life she was a devoted mother and wife and a cherished friend to many. Dee was much loved for her kindness, wisdom and sense of humor and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Her life celebration will be held on Saturday, Feb. 12 at the Varcoe-Thomas Funeral Home of Doylestown, Pa. Visitation starts at 10 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m.
An outdoor reception at a nearby restaurant will be held immediately afterwards.
In lieu of flowers, Dianne requested we help others by giving blood or making a donation to the Red Cross.
Send condolences to www.varcoethomasfuneralhome.com.
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