Viola Diodato Obituary

Viola Ann Diodato, 93, recently of Oxford, Michigan, formerly of Keyport for 70 years, passed quietly at Stonegate Health Center with her son at her bedside on September 27, 2025 after a long battle with COPD.
She was born at sunrise on July 29,1932 in Holmdel ( formally Centerville ) on a 102 acre farm on Centerville Rd. The youngest of 7 children of Mary ( Tomasino ) and Salvatore Straniero.
She graduated from Keyport High School in 1950 and married Anthony Diodato the following year. They built a house on Beers Street in Keyport where she lived for over 70 years. After raising their only child Anthony Jr., Viola pursued a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and worked at Matawan Medical Associates from 1976 to 1981. After "retirement" she continued as a private duty nurse for many years. With her husband of 54 years, she enjoyed many road trips to visit friends and family throughout the country. She especially liked the trips to visit Tony Jr. in upstate NY, Florida, or Michigan and help build his business. Their assistance and guidance was priceless.
Viola enjoyed close relationships with her neighbors Brad, Sandra and their two daughters as well as Bob and Cindy across the street whether it was always being part of their holidays or just going out to dinner. Whenever Viola needed help, they were always there; as was her nephew Bob and his wife Pat who lived not too far away always included Aunt Chickie in their holidays and outings. Viola could not thank them enough for all the assistance over many, many years, the parties, dinners, and trips to Home Depot. The source of her greatest joy was being part of and watching her extended family grow.
In later years, Viola enjoyed her many bus trips to Atlantic City, luncheons with high school and grammar school classmates, visiting or helping family and friends. At the age of 92, she finally decided it was time to give up driving and move closer to her son in Michigan. She immediately made numerous friends at her new home at Independence Village in Oxford, MI where they'll be telling stories of the Jersey Girl in the midwest for years to come.
Viola is predeceased by her parents Salvatore Straniero and Maria (Tomasino) Straniero; her beloved husband Tony in 2005; her sisters Marie, Nicoletta, Rosalie, Beatrice, Lucy (103), and Salvatore Jr (95).
She is survived by her loving son, Tony Jr. (Lou Ann) of Lapeer, MI, many good neighbors and friends, and many many nieces and nephews.
"Mom instilled in me a love of science and learning as well as caring and helping others. She encouraged me to pursue my dreams even if that journey put many miles between us. In addition to those she helped directly, there are hundreds of students, employees, and random strangers whose lives have been positively effected even though they never met her."
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation or your local Food Pantry.
Friends and relatives are invited to a visitation for Viola on Tuesday October 7, 2025 from 2PM - 4PM & 7PM - 9PM at Day Funeral Home 361 Maple Place Keyport, New Jersey 07735 and again Wednesday October 8, 2025 9:15AM at the funeral home for a 10AM Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Joseph's Church (Our Lady of Fatima Parish) of Keyport.
Burial will follow in Saint Joseph's Cemetery of Keyport.
Memorial contributions can be made to the following charity of your choice; Saint Joseph's Indian School, Make A Wish Foundation or The Keyport Food Pantry. Please see charity listings on this web page for links to their websites.
To offer the family of Viola your condolences or for directions to our funeral home, please do so here at our website www.dayfuneralhome.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Viola, please visit our floral store.