Diane L. (Lobaito) Amabile

Diane Louise Lobaito- Amabile passed on June 12, 2022 at Bayshore Hospital in Holmdel NJ.

Diane was the second child to Salvatore and Ola Lobaito born on February 11, 1940 in New York City. She had the same birthday as Burt Reynolds and she always had a crush on him.  

Her family relocated from Manhattan to Jersey City and there Diane grew up with three siblings.  As children she was very close to her oldest brother Wordie and recanted stories about the great times they shared through the years.  She was a dutiful babysitter to her younger brother Charles and her little sister Ola and was proud to be their big “SiS”.  She lived on Virginia Avenue and attended Our Lady of Victory Grammar School.  She then went to Snyder High School where she was the Captain of the Stutters Team.  Diane luved to dance and Cha Chaed her way onto American Bandstand with Dick Clark where she was spotlighted.

Married in the sixties and divorced in the seventies she was a pioneer single parent to her daughter Monique.  As the Women’s Rights Movement was in full force calling on all those in the workplace to be treated equally.  This was vital for a one income family and she was an activist and an achiever.  She found working in the city fascinating thriving in the excitement of it all.  

She had a favorite Uncle Jasper Lobaito who was always introducing her to the Arts and all things political.  He was a colorful character who lived in the West Village in New York.  In the sixties you had jazz, beatniks and you had my Uncle…lol.  His views were very impactful and as Italians in America they marched for the Italian Civil Liberties Union. In 1971 they rallied for Joe Columbo in Columbus Circle. It was her Uncle who gave a book to Diane when she was in the hospital recuperating from foot surgery that would change her life. 

The big move was to Little Italy in the city to study acting and then she became a Sag member.  A few commercials, several talk shows and then she was in “The Godfather” which became a film from the book she was given. She was in the wedding scene and you see her in featured in the background wearing an off the shoulder red dress and toasting to Vito Corleone and his daughter Connie dancing.  The story goes… she danced with Marlon Brando but that scene never made it into the film.

Always trying new things, she ventured into broadcasting.  This was short lived for she was very political and always campaigning while living in Hudson County. Instead she went to work for the Sheriff’s Department processing criminals….go figure.  That was Diane living by her own rules.

Taking a vacation was an adventure for she once took a tour bus to Florida and when they broke down, they were transported to a lounge to wait and Diane jumped on stage and sang Proud Mary with the band.  She was fearless and fun.

Eventually she left New Jersey in 1985 and relocated to Florida.  Her only child was in Naples and said “come on down”.  She stayed for 12 years and during that time she went to school to become a massage therapist.  She graduated and passed the state exam and went on to work for the school she graduated from as a recruiter and made an impact with the students.

Returning to New Jersey in 1998 Diane lived in Marlboro then retired in Middletown. She flourished living in Monmouth County and praised the area continuously.  Her last position was working for the Manalapan Police Department.   

She NEVER gave up, if she had a dream she achieved it, she always said “persistence pays” and instilled this in her daughter.

Diane:

Was extremely intelligent.
Took walks on the beach.
Spoke politics to anyone who would listen.
Enjoyed exploring new states and countries
An advocate for just causes.
Attended oldies concerts.
Looked forward to going out to dine for the holidays and meeting the gang for reunions.
Listened to Sergio Mendes and Brazil 66 while dancing and cleaning the house.                                                   
She had a grand kitty Marzano who made her smile. 
Always content with her decisions and fiercely independent. 

Her daughter was her number one priority and she was dedicated and devoted in all aspects of her being. They grew up together… were best friends and their love was unconditional which makes her loss so tragic.

In her lifetime she was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a devoted loving mother, a proud Italian and a friend to many. She truly lived life on her own terms and in the famous words of old blue eyes “ She Did It Her Way”. Diane was 82 years young and left us too early now she is in the heavens with her younger brother Charles and they are the family angels. She will be lovingly remembered and missed tremendously!!!

Diane is survived by her daughter Monique Lisa Amabile.  Her brother Wordie Lobaito and his wife Marie.  Her sister Ola Plaskon and her husband Robert .Her sister-in-law,  Anne Lobaito, widow of her brother Charles. Nieces and nephews: Laurie Ann Puskas, Holly Lobaito, Sean Lobaito, Charles S. Lobaito and Nicole L. Lobaito.

It was Diane's wishes that services be private, but please leave your condolences on the funeral home website.

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