Diane Marie Hendricks

Diane Marie (Meeker) Hendricks, age 63, of Lebanon Borough, NJ, passed away on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ.

Diane was born on October 19, 1962, in Plainfield, NJ, to the late John and Joan (Perry) Meeker. She grew up in Scotch Plains, NJ, graduating from Scotch Plains Fanwood High School in 1980, before moving to Bradenton, FL. Di loved the Sunshine State and hoped to move somewhere warm again soon. In 1995, she moved to Lebanon, NJ, where she resided for the remainder of her life and loved the charm of her little town.

Being a mom was everything to Diane. She said that her children, Jeremy and Amanda, were the best thing she ever did. She was also the beloved wife of Jeffrey Rigante. Married in 2012, Diane and Jeff shared 13 years of marriage filled with laughter, love, and many adventures.

Diane began her career in insurance but felt called to do more to help others. While raising young children, she worked tirelessly to obtain her nursing degrees. Diane loved children deeply, and her care and kindness as a pediatric nurse touched the lives of countless families. For the past 11 years, she proudly served as a school nurse at Lord Stirling Elementary School in New Brunswick, NJ.

Diane was a longtime member of Immaculate Conception Church in Annandale, NJ.

She was an avid walker, she also enjoyed skiing, kayaking, hiking, and bowling. Athletic throughout her life, Diane fondly remembered her time on the swim and dive team in her youth. She also cherished summers spent in Lavallette, NJ, where she loved going to the beach with her family and creating lifelong memories. A highlight of her life was taking a family trip to Hawaii, an experience she treasured deeply. Di also had a lifelong love of horseback riding and, for her birthday this year, enjoyed riding Clydesdales with her daughter and her sister-at-heart, Laurie. Morgantown, West Virginia held a special place in her heart: the start of her parents' love story, lively football Saturdays, and treasured time spent with family.

Diane is survived by her loving husband, Jeff; her two children, Jeremy Hendricks and his wife, Violet, of Bremerton, WA; and Amanda Hendricks of Lebanon, NJ; and her stepchildren, Travis Rigante and his wife, Taylor Marie, of Bethlehem, PA, and Taylor Rigante of Philadelphia, PA. She was a devoted grandmother to all of her beautiful grandchildren who filled her heart with so much joy: Eliza-May, Branch, and baby (due in March) Hendricks and Charlie and Lyla Rigante.

She is also survived by her siblings: Trudy (Meeker) Madden and her husband, Bill, of Hillsborough, NJ; John Meeker of Howell, NJ; and Jim Meeker and his wife, Cindy, of Montgomery, NJ. Di loved being an aunt and leaves behind many nieces and nephews and their children, who affectionately referred to her as "Grantie Di." She is also survived by many cousins, including her partner-in-crime, Kathy Kerin of Morgantown, WV; her sisters-in-law, Kathy, Karen, Susie, and "Cuz" Diane; and her many cherished friends, including her best friend since childhood, Laurie Holsten, her "soul sister," Janie Stala, and cherished friend, Maureen McEwen.

It brings us comfort to know that Diane is reunited with her adored dogs, Charlotte and Casey, and with her loving parents in Heaven. We will miss Di more than words can express, but we know we are always together in our hearts.

Visitation will take place on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at Scarponi-Bright Funeral Home, 26 Main Street, Lebanon, NJ. Interment will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to:

Memorial Sloan Kettering, Ovarian Cancer Research (link to Diane's page: In Honor of Diane Hendricks )

Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Attn: Endowment

Program, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 1036.