Vita "Sara" Diefenbach
"One hand washes the other and both hands wash your face."
Vita Licciardello was born on January 9, 1932 in Trenton, NJ, to Rosaria Guarrera and Orazio Licciardello from Sicily. Her brothers Domenic, Orazio Jr known as Frank, and Vito were born and passed away before her.
Her mother Rosaria passed away on June 12th that year at the age of 42 from breast cancer. Vita was just 5 months old. She looked so much like her mother, she was called Little Rosaria which evolved into Sarah, which her family still calls her. Her father then married Catharine Cummings Ivins, who had two boys of her own, Robert and Hubert. Together, Orazio and Catharine had a son, Joseph.
James "Fred" Diefenbach was born November 14, 1930 to Felix John Diefenbach (1899-1977) and Gladys McChesney (1902-1990) in Hightstown, New Jersey. He entered the National Guard SFC E-6 Battery C 696th Field Artillery in 1947 and honorably discharged in 1952.
Vita worked as a young girl for Diamond Brothers furniture where she typed labels and babysat for the owners. She then worked for Native Lace Works in Hightstown until it closed.
On April 17, 1955, Vita and Fred married in Hightstown, New Jersey. Although they had no children of their own, Vita and Fred were the fun aunt and uncle to many nieces and nephews, and their children too.
Vita and Fred enjoyed many vacations in Sanibel Island and made more friends there. She loved the beach and collected hundreds of shells, making wreaths and decorations with them. Vita loved her Sicilian heritage and cooked many wonderful Italian meals. She even did her DNA. Turns out she is 100% Southern Italian, a purebred. Fred was half German and half Irish, but sure loved Italian food!
Fred was gifted musically and entertained throughout the county with his brothers George and Robert as the MelodyMen.
Vita worked as supervisor for McGraw Hill Customer Service where she retired after 32 years. Fred worked at McGraw Hill as well as a special packaging shipping clerk, retiring after 30 years. She and Fred moved to Whiting at Crestwood in 1985. Fred moved to Pines Village after Vita passed away.
Vita passed away on Saturday, February 20th, 2021 and her beloved Fred on Monday, June 29th, 2026.
Vita - In Loving Memory
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