Gloria (Bianchi) Dirienzo

Gloria Dirienzo (nee Bianchi), 98, of Berkeley Twp., NJ, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

Born in Stafford Springs, CT, she lived in Oakland NJ, Fairfield, NJ, and Whiting, NJ before moving to Berkeley Twp. in 1994.

Gloria was one of the original “Rosie, the Riveters” during World War II, working in a defense plant making parts for US Navy submarines. In later years, she worked part-time at Bamberger’s, Wayne, NJ and was a full-time homemaker who loved to cook, bake, sew, knit and crochet. She loved card games and puzzles. Her Italian meals were plentiful and lovingly prepared, and always delicious. She particularly loved spending time with her family at gatherings in New Jersey and Florida and she made all holidays extra special.

Gloria was a parishioner of St. Maximilian Kolbe RC Church, Berkeley Twp.

She was predeceased by her parents, Alexander and Lena and her sisters, Flora and Lillian, her brothers, Albert, Alex, and Leonard and her husband of 76 years William M. Dirienzo in 2024.

Gloria is survived by her three sons Lawrence Dirienzo and his wife Mary of Oakhurst, NJ, William Dirienzo and his wife Tess of Fort Pierce, FL and Michael Dirienzo and his wife Elaine of Toms River, five grandchildren, Guin, Jesse, Lawrence Jr., Melissa and Thomas, and thirteen great grandchildren, Leah, Tristan, Eva, Nathaniel, Ambrose, Raffaella, Benjamin, Claire, Emily, Dean, Reed, Dominic, and Mia Rose. And many beloved nieces and nephews.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday, September 28, 2025 4:00pm – 8:00pm at the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 145 St. Catherine Blvd., Toms River.   A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Monday, September 29, 2025 10:00am at St. Maximilian Koble RC Church, Berkeley Twp.  Burial to follow at the BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Wrightstown, NJ at 12:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SPCA, the Saint Jude Children’s Hospital, the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Saint Maximilian Colby Church, Popcorn Park Animal Refuge or a charity of your choice.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.ryanfuneralhome.com.

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