Obituary of Janice E. Diefendorf

Janice Elaine (Lockwood) Diefendorf, 89, of Endicott, NY passed away on June 10, 2025 in her home of 61 years, after a brief illness, surrounded by the love that she deserved. She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Richard L. Diefendorf, and parents, Stanley Lockwood, and Florence (Hughes)(Lockwood) Main. She was also predeceased by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Jackie (Ralph) Gregory and Dorothy (Walt) Willson and best friend, sister-in-law Sally (Diefendorf) Link and daughter-in law Ann Marie Grey. She is survived by her children; Bob, Mick (Brenda), Steve, Barb (Steve) Hammerstone, Sue, and John (Stephanie). Also surviving are her sister Darragh Goodsite and brother Ralph Lockwood (Shirley). Grandchildren Bobby, Matt, Jenna, Lizzy, Danielle, Brittni, and Bryan. Great-grandchildren Vinny, Morgan, Meghan, Zhamiyah, Malik, Tremaine, Marylan, and Maya along with many nephews and nieces. The family will receive family and friends at the Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home, 300 E. Main Street, Endicott, Tuesday June 17, 2025 from 10 am until the time of the service at 12 pm. The Reverend Lea Harding, Director of Pastoral Care, Hilltop Campus United Methodist Homes will be officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, 400 Vestal Road, Endicott, NY. A luncheon will be served at 1:30pm at Vestal Center United Methodist Church, 478 W. Hill Rd. Vestal, NY. Janice was born in Endicott, NY on December 21, 1935. She went to Union Endicott High School where she excelled in academics, band, glee club, orchestra, choir, field hockey, softball, and volleyball and graduated in 1953. She went on to earn a degree from the Bellevue School of Nursing in NYC. She then worked as an emergency room nurse. She wed Richard, they had six children and she became a full-time homemaker and wonderful Mom. She then worked with the Union Volunteer Ambulance Squad (UVES) as an EMT-D, driver, and administrator for over 20 years. She was a presented a Life Membership by UVES in 1997. She enjoyed sewing doll clothes, rag dolls and loved gardening. She also taught her children how to be practical and loving, how to catch and clean a fish, be a quiet steady force and things will turn out fine. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to: Guthrie Hospice – 4102 Old Vestal Rd. Vestal, NY 13850, Union Volunteer Ambulance Squad - 8 S. Avenue B, Endwell, NY 13760, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.