Betty Diorio

Betty Narola Sparks Diorio, of Hammonton, Brigantine and Philadelphia, passed away peacefully Saturday, September 10, 2011. Raised in an orphanage in Scranton, she moved to Philadelphia, where she trained and worked as a baby nurse, an early indication of where she would find her calling in life. Striving for the home life not available to her as a child, she married and began building the foundation for such with her love of family, deep-seated personal values, warmth, sharp wit, and a lot of humor. Betty deeply loved her family and was the guiding center of their lives. Her children and grandchildren were a constant source of pride and joy. When mentioning them in conversation, their names were almost always preceded with the word “my.” Though she was known for serving the grandchildren ice cream for breakfast, she would never ever “throw” a game of Checkers or Connect Four, providing a constant source of amazement for the children that Grandmom always won. During the summer months at her home in Brigantine, Betty’s bathtub was usually occupied with sandy blonde-haired children just returned from the beach, along with a fort in her family room or a grandchild in her bed at night. She loved visiting with her family by phone or in person, and they loved hearing her stories of growing up in “The Home,” and about the deep and lasting friendships which she made while residing there. Her wise guidance and unwavering support were ever-present. With Betty, there was always room for one more person. She continually opened new doors in her heart and welcomed everyone into the big, loving family she created. Hers was the home where everyone felt truly welcomed, accepted, and loved. Betty made the same connections with her many friends. New and old friends alike felt the draw of her special warmth and wondered at her strength and un-wavering tenacity while facing the many physical challenges presented to her during her life. Betty is survived by her children Mary T. Schilling, Michael J. Diorio (Maureen), Leslie D. White (Robert), Diana J. Gillespie (Richard), and Toni M. Sims (Ed), along with her thirteen grandchildren, Justin Schilling, Michael Diorio (Alan Causing), R.J. White (Megan), Nathaniel Travis Schilling, Bayly White DiPilato, (Mike) Nicole Diorio, Emily Gillespie, Holli Sims Harrington (Steve), Alexandra Gillespie Jenkins (John), Ed Sims, Jr., Gannon White, Danny Diorio, Dana Diorio, her brother Delbert Sparks, five nieces and nephews and her companion Ivy McGaney. Betty will be laid to rest in a private family service on Sunday, September 18, near her parents, Stanley and Theresia Sparks, in Gelatt, PA. Friends are invited to visit with the family on Monday, September 19 at 3 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a memorial donation be made in Betty's name to the home where she spent her childhood years: Friendship House, at www.friendshiphousepa.org or 1509 Maple St., Scranton, PA 18505.