Theresa DiFranco

Theresa (Terry) DiFranco

We are sad to share that Theresa Juliano DiFranco passed away at the age of 96 after a long and fulfilling life. Terry was a force of nature. She was active and naturally engaging, constantly looking for the next pickleball, bowling, golf, or bocce match. She had an unforgettable smile that her family and friends will never forget.

Theresa was born in her parents' home in Newark on January 19, 1929, the daughter of Pasquale and Carmela Juliano. She graduated from Central High and then went to work for AT&T, which she fondly called "the telephone company." A depression-era child, she was raised in a large family, learned the value of a dollar, and was a devoted Catholic. Yet, she also shared stories of sneaking out of her mother's home to play tennis or take trips with girlfriends!

She met her husband, Peter, playing tennis at Branch Brook Park. They were married on July 17, 1960, in St. Francis Church across the street from her mother's home. She raised her family in Kenilworth, NJ, and later worked for Lancome. Terry and Pete enjoyed an active retirement at Lake Ridge Village in Toms River. As a parishioner at St. Luke, she was a eucharistic minister and a member of the Rosary Society.

She encouraged her two children to focus on their education, try every sport, and explore the world. She was blessed with multiple generations of cousins, nieces, and nephews who will remember her baking the best chocolate chip cookies and protecting the family's (not so secret) cheesecake recipe.

Theresa was pre-deceased by her husband of 52 years, Peter, and her brothers Frank, Joseph, and Tony; her sisters Julia, Genevie, and Anna. She is survived by her daughter, Karen Cangialosi, and her partner, Richard Spengler; her two sons, Jeffrey and his wife Caitlin; Peter and his wife Emma; her son, Stephen DiFranco; his wife Eileen; their daughters Sophia and Julia, and her very first great-grandson, Liam Cangialosi whom she adored.

The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to the exceptional group of caregivers at Sunrise Lincroft and her dear friends from Lake Ridge Village, who loved, supported, and visited her frequently before her passing on February 20, 2025.

A funeral mass will be held at The Church of St. Catherine, Holmdel, NJ, on March 15, 2025, at 10:30 am. The family also plans a spring mass at St. Luke in Toms River and hopes to host a pickleball event in her memory at Lake Ridge this summer.

Donations in her honor are welcome to Homeside Hospice Butterfly Wishes: Homeside Hospice Butterfly Foundation or Christian Brothers Academy. Please identify the donation for The Stephen J. Cangialosi 9/11 Memorial Scholarship Fund on the website.