Obituary of Thelma S. Dinio
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Thelma S. Dinio, 85, who peacefully passed away at home, with her daughter by her side, on Saturday, March 1, 2025.
Born in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, Thelma was the youngest of 11 children and immigrated to the United States in 1974 to Perth Amboy, before her husband and children joined her the following year. She and her family also lived in Hopelawn and Keasbey and eventually bought a home in Perth Amboy. She initially worked as an LPN at Perth Amboy Hospital before retiring from the Menlo Park Veterans Memorial Home in Edison, where she proudly served for 25 years.
An avid collector of Asian dolls, buddhas, and pig statues, she enjoyed crocheting, cooking and baking, as well as thrifting with her husband and taking weekly trips to Englishtown Flea Market and neighborhood garage sales on the weekends. She had a huge sweet tooth and indulged in brownies, chocolates, and ice cream, but her all-time favorite was halo-halo, a popular Filipino dessert of shaved ice and various “mix-ins”. She loved clothing and jewelry and developed an obsession with anything leopard print, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see her decked out in leopard from head to toe. Although she was short and petite in stature at 4’11”, she had the biggest heart and was one of the kindest, most generous, full-of-life, feisty, and strongest people you will ever know.
Thelma is survived by her adoring husband of 56 years, Pedro C. Dinio, Jr. (they were the definition of true love) and her loving children: Anna Mae Dinio-Bloch and her husband Brian, and Wendell Dinio and his wife Patricia. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren and was a devoted “Lola” to Julian and wife Maria, Jayden, Jameson, and Liam, along with a host of family and friends in the United States, Philippines, and beyond. She loved her family deeply (immediate and extended), and was beloved in return, and she will be sorely missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.
Family and friends may gather on Monday, March 10, 2025 from 5PM – 8PM in the Piscataway Funeral Home, 18 Stelton Road, Piscataway NJ 08854.
Funeral services will begin on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 9:30AM in the funeral home following a funeral mass to be celebrated at 10:30AM in Our Lady of Fatima RC Church, Piscataway. Burial will follow in Resurrection Burial Park, Piscataway.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Thelma’s memory may be made to the NJ Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park, 132 Evergreen Road, PO BOX 3013, Edison NJ.