Dianne L. Senko of Belle Mead, 70

Enjoyed Life to the Fullest

August 12, 1955 — July 25, 2026

Dianne L. (Merlo) Senko of Belle Mead died early morning on Saturday, July 25, surrounded by loved ones, after a four-year battle with Multiple Myeloma. She was 70.

Dianne and her husband of 47 years, Robert, moved to Belle Mead in about 1994. Dianne had worked for Johnson & Johnson in her younger years, then was a stay-at-home mom.

Everything in Dianne’s life was important to her. Her dogs were such a passion. Dianne was a member of the Mid-Jersey Labrador Retriever Club for over 20 years, serving on the board of directors and various committees throughout the years. Dianne enjoyed all the dog activities of showing and training her dogs. Training with her dog Bailey was pure joy, Bogie was a bit of a challenge as he preferred the couch! Other hobbies and interests included knitting, weaving, quilting, felting, and traveling the world on knitting trips with friends and family.

The beach was a favorite and special place. Dianne loved the beach, having grown up in Chadwick Beach. Here she met her husband. Many wonderful summers were spent here.

As much as Dianne enjoyed her life outside her home, her home was her little place of paradise. Sitting in her yard listening to the birds and enjoying her lovely peonies gave her such joy.

Dianne enjoyed cooking and baking for friends and family. Teaching her son the old family recipes was so important to her, as were holiday dinners. Her cookies were the best. Everyone looked forward to them. If you received a bag of her treats, you were truly special in her life.

Dianne is survived by her husband, Robert; son, Jeffrey; brother Daniel (Sarah); and brother Randolph.

She is also survived by nieces Maryah and Alexandra Merlo, nephews Charles and Robert Merlo, sister-in-law, Deborah S. Foster (Philip), and sister-in-law, Janis Senko; cousins Karin Schempf and Beverly Puzio, who took great care of her in the hardest moments; and best friends Camile, Mary Ann, Traci, Ann, Carol, Angela, and Kathy, who were there for all the difficult days.

A memorial service will be held 12 noon, Saturday, August 15, at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ 08540. Inurnment will immediately follow at the Trinity Memorial Garden, Princeton, NJ.

Memorial donations can be made to: Trinity Church Donations, 33 Mercer Street, Princeton.