Diane Evelyn Benenato

Diane Evelyn (Jones) Benenato was called home to heaven on May 21, 2025 after a courageous journey through cancer.

Born January 23, 1954 to the late Frederick and Helen (Schelin) Jones, Diane was the oldest of four beloved children, and grew up in Walpole in a home full of love and laughter. She and her parents and siblings enjoyed many activities as a family, including going on road trips, sledding at a nearby golf course, and playing in their beautiful backyard. Diane attended school in Walpole, where she found success in her studies and enjoyed the company of her friends and cousins.

On August 28, 1971, Diane set out on a blind date to the Surf Ballroom at Nantasket Beach in Hull. Her friends who arranged the outing surely were inspired, as Diane's date proved to be the love of her life, Vincent. From that special August evening onward, Diane and Vinnie were smitten, and their relationship continued to blossom through many more dates, conversations, and letters. They remained steadfast in their love and dedication to each other, including through Vinnie's military service, and were joyfully married on September 21, 1974.

Diane and Vinnie made their home in Dedham, and were blessed to welcome three sons, Vincent Jr., Robert, and Christopher. Diane's quiet nature was accompanied by great inner strength, love, and devotion. She was a dedicated wife and mother who found great joy in caring for her family, including decorating their home, cooking and baking delicious meals and treats, and attending her sons’ soccer, baseball, and football games and music recitals. She cheered on her sons in all they did, even joining in with them to watch wrestling on television in their childhoods and to listen to the rock albums they enjoyed in their teenage years. Once all of her sons were in elementary school, Diane also took on work roles outside of the home, including at Sears and at Chrysler Financial, and then at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, where she was employed as a well-liked, knowledgeable, appreciated head clerk for many years. In her leisure time, she enjoyed doing puzzles, reading, photography, traveling around New England, listening to music, taking the occasional trip to a casino, and spending time with friends and family. As her family grew over the past decade, her love continually grew along with it, and she warmly welcomed her daughters-in-law and grandchildren to the family, blessing them with her affection and care.

Diane leaves to cherish her memory her husband of fifty years, Vincent; her son, Vincent and his wife, Katie; her son, Robert and his wife, Stephanie; her son, Christopher; her grandson, AJ; her granddaughter, Ava; her brother, Arthur and his wife, Valerie; as well as several close friends and dear cousins, nephews, and nieces. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Jennifer and her brother, Kenneth. All are better for the pleasure of having known Diane, and she will be forever loved and missed.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Diane's visitation on Monday, June 2nd, 2025 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

A Funeral Home Service will be held on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025 at 10:00 am and interment will follow at Terrace Hill Cemetery in Walpole.

Diane’s family would like to express their gratitude to the dedicated doctors, nurses, and hospice providers who helped to care for her through her illness. Memorial contributions in honor of Diane may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, by mail at PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or online at https://dana-farber.org/gift.