COMERFORD, DIANA L.

COMERFORD, DIANA L.
Diana L. Comerford, devoted, loving and cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, died peacefully surrounded by her children on September 11, 2024.
Born in New York City, Diana met the love of her life and best friend, Philip, while studying at the University of Michigan for a Masters in Economics where she was the only woman in the program. They eloped in 1953, and together embarked on a 64 year journey during which they built a strong family, pursued and lived the American dream, and lived with no regrets. They settled in Haddonfield, New Jersey until the late 1970s, when the family moved to Bethesda, Maryland, where Diana earned her paralegal certificate from Georgetown University and worked at Georgetown Preparatory School. Always active in her communities, Diana served with many organizations, including the Haddon Fortnightly, Potomac Women's Club, and the Women's Civic Club of Stone Harbor.
After Philip retired in the early 1990s, they split their time between Naples, Florida and Stone Harbor, New Jersey. Diana was very active with friends at the Audubon Country Club in Naples, where she enjoyed playing bocce and golf. For the last 55 years, Diana spent her summers in Stone Harbor, where she loved entertaining and spending time with family and friends. Diana and Philip were very active, long-time members of the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor where she enjoyed volunteering with numerous committees and assisting Philip during his time as Commodore and Treasurer. More recently, she enjoyed participating in multiple book clubs, and playing mahjong, canasta, bridge and bocce with her friends.
What gave Diana the most joy was building, nurturing, providing for and always being there for her family and friends. They were her lifeforce. Diana set a strong example for her children and grandchildren of what it means to work hard, sacrifice, laugh, love and have faith. Diana forged deep and longtime relationships with so many good friends. She was so much fun to be with and lit up every room she entered with her boundless energy, self-deprecating sense of humor and infectious laugh. If wealth were measured by the quantity and quality of friendships, Diana was the richest woman in the world.
She is survived by her children Phil, Jr. (Betty), Cindy Gillette (Michael), David (Robin), Andrew (Jennie), grandchildren Philip III (Jessie), Sarah Loria (Joe), Michael, Julia, Grace, D.J., Kevin, Elizabeth, Matthew, and great-grandchildren Ella and Emma. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Philip.
Relatives and friends are invited to a Visitation at 9:30 a.m. and a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at Saint Paul's Roman Catholic Church, 9910 Third Ave, Stone Harbor, NJ 08247. Entombment will be at Saint Mary's Cemetery, 1056 Seashore Rd, Cape May, NJ 08204. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Yacht Club of Stone Harbor/Community Outreach, 9001 Sunset Drive, Stone Harbor, NJ, 08247, noting “In Memory of Diana Comerford” on any donation. Condolences at
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