Obituary of Diana M. Kuncken

Diana M. Kuncken of Stanhope, NJ passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 3, 2025  at home surrounded by her loving family.   She was 83 years old.  Diana was born on December 22^nd in Jersey City, NJ to the late Ettorino and the late Carmella (LaRose) Marana.

Diana was a longtime resident of Stanhope and very involved in the town she loved so much.  Diana was a teacher at Our Savior Lutheran Nursery School in Stanhope for 15 years and then the Pre-School Director at St. Michael School in Netcong for 28 years until her retirement in 2016.

Diana became a member of the Stanhope Borough Council in 1997 and was elected as the first female mayor of Stanhope in 2004 and served 8 years in that position. In 2012 she re-joined the council and has served continuously to the present day.

She enjoyed public service, the Jersey shore, and spending time with her family, especially her cherished grandchildren.  She was their biggest fan, always supporting them at their sporting events, their careers and all other activities they participated in. She had an active social life filled with her special group of friends from Saturday morning bagels, Shakey Jake’s, Bell’s Mansion and The Growing Stage.

Diana is survived by devoted sons, Richard D. Kuncken and his wife, Catherine and Robert Kuncken and his wife, Dawn, her cherished grandchildren, Derek, Dylan, Matthew and Kayla, and her sister Roseann LaBruno and her husband, Andrew.  Additional survivors include many extended relatives and dear friends.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Richard G. Kuncken in 2012.

Diana’s Life Celebration Services will include a Visitation on Friday, June 6^th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 7:00 to 9:00 PM at Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home, 150 Landing Road, Landing, NJ 07850.  There will be a funeral mass offered on Saturday morning, June 7^th at 10:00 AM at St. Michael’s RC Church, 4 Church Street, in Netcong, NJ.   Diana will be laid to rest with her beloved husband, Richard at Stanhope Union Cemetery in Mt. Olive Twp, NJ.  All services are entrusted to the Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home of Landing, NJ.   For memorial donations in honor of Diana, please consider the Stanhope-Netcong American Legion Ambulance Corps.  Their address can be found by visiting www.stanhopenetcong.com/donate.