Diana (nee Brown) Raroha, of Collingswood formerly of Gloucester City; GHS Class of 1962
Friday, August 23, 2024
Diana Raroha graciously took her famous beaming smile, infectious laugh, and fierce strength to heaven on August 18, 2024. While surrounded by her tightly knit family, her loved ones confidently found comfort in knowing Diana was ready to be reunited with her husband, William Raroha, and her brother Irvin Brown.
Born on August 9, 1944 to Irvin and Ester Brown, Diana spent her childhood in Gloucester City, and was a proud member of the class of 1962 where she cultivated numerous life-long friendships. Life-long friendship was meant quite literally to the very end, including Jimmy and Kathy Hampton, with 66 years of the most incredibly special friendship. Diana grew up inseparably close with her brother, Irvin Brown (Charlotte and many beloved cousins.
Diana's adult life brought her to Collingswood, New Jersey, where she raised four daughters: Susan Nicolella, Tina Risley (John Risley), Elizabeth Heal (James Muckley), and Karen Warner (Chris Daley). While she was well known as the Heal Sister's mom, she was probably better known as everyone's second mom. There was nothing Diana loved more than to wake up to a house of best friends who spontaneously spent the night, being everyone's confidant, and the constant source of sound advice.
In the rare moments when Diana wasn't mothering the entire Collingswood community, she would chat with Bill Raroha over the fence of their backyard.
What started as neighbors ended in unconditional love. Diana and Bill did more than simply take one another's hand in marriage, but seamlessly conjoined two families into one with endless love. Diana was the proud step mother of Eric Raroha (Diane), William Raroha (Tiffany), and David Raroha (Marianne).
Throughout her life, Diana wore many hats, from seamstress to claims specialist at Penn Mutual, but undoubtedly her proudest title was Mom-mom. In any conversation, Diana couldn't wait to update people on the vast accomplishments of her fourteen grandchildren: Tyler Nicolella, Isabelle Nicolella, Madison Accardi (Josh Levano), Jacqui Accardi, Tyler Correll, Kira Correll, Lauren Warner, Robert Warner, Jake Raroha, Josh Raroha, Cole Raroha, Chloe Raroha, Grace Raroha, and Abby Raroha.
Fourteen grandchildren always seemed like a modest number because she loved every child she knew as if they were her very own. Additionally, Diana was a loving aunt to Lisa Brown, Samantha Dobleman, Josh Dobleman, Dave Brown (Leslie), Hannah Brown, Abby Brown, and Luke Brown.
Of course, Mom-mom never missed the milestones. But she also never missed the sporting events, theater productions, concerts, shopping trips, after school snacks, and Panera lunch dates.
Despite calling Collingswood home for the vast majority of her life, her true home was always down the shore. Diana spent the final years of her life in Cape May Court House, and most of her days in North Wildwood. Going down the shore to Mom-mom's house meant endless ice cream trips, countless hours on the beach, family sleepovers, and her famous driving tours with personal stories to tell in every single shore town.
Perhaps Diana was most well known for her true open door policy in every community she lived in. Whether it was her extraordinary Christmas Eve parties or just another afternoon, everyone was always more than welcome. She didn't just have friends, she wholeheartedly believed that everyone she knew was family.
Diana was ready to fill your cup, both literally and figuratively the minute you arrived. She will undeniably be remembered for her inspiring strength and incredible courage. Many will also remember her when they put on their favorite pair of pants that Diana hemmed at the kitchen table more times than they can count.
Diana's passion for loving the Lord was evident in everything she did, from serving her communities to worshiping with her church family at North Wildwood Methodist. Diana loved Proverbs 31:25, "She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future". Perhaps there is no better verse to better summarize the life, and the light, of Diana Raroha.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 24th from 9 to 11 AM followed by a service to celebrate Diana's life at 11:00 AM at Haddonfield Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to North Wildwood Methodist Church in honor of Diana.
Posted by CNBNewsnet on Friday, August 23, 2024 at 08:00 PM in DOWN THE SHORE, Gloucester City NEWS, Lions Alumni , Obituaries, South Jersey | Permalink | Comments (0)