Betsy Diorio

1949 - 2016

Betsy Rock Diorio, 67, of Fort Myers, Fla., and Durham, N.C., formerly of Fort Washington, Pa., passed away Friday, Dec. 9, 2016, at her home in Florida. She was the beloved wife of Raymond J. Diorio Jr. Betsy was born June 30, 1949, in Pittsburgh to Chester C. Rock and Betty J. Lesneski (Hanna). She was a 1967 graduate of Carnegie High School and a 1971 graduate of Millersville University with a degree in biology. She worked in the Information Technology departments for Prudential Insurance and for IKEA North American Headquarters. She was a lifelong Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Betsy practiced yoga and continued to do so during much of her illness with a group at the UNC Cancer Center in Chapel Hill. Despite being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012 and undergoing treatment for most these past four years, Betsy maintained an incredibly positive attitude and lived her life to the fullest with dignity and grace. She always loved animals, especially cats, and cared for many strays over the course of her lifetime. After retiring in 2010, Betsy volunteered with Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter in Newport, N.C., Island Cat Allies in Emerald Isle, N.C., and the Emerald Isle Sea Turtle Protection Program. Ray wishes to express his gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Duke Cancer Center and Duke Hospice in Durham and Hope Hospice in Fort Myers.
A service was held Jan. 7, with interment at Chartiers Cemetery, Carnegie.
Memorial donations in Betsy's name may be made to Duke Cancer Center, P.O. Box 3828, Durham, NC 27710; Attn: Accounting Supervisor (please specify Ovarian Cancer Research). Condolences may be made at www.ciavarellifuneralhomes.com.