I had the pleasure of meeting Lee when she asked me to help take care of her Mom. Lee was beautiful, caring and kind. Always smiling and positive. Such a brave person. She Loved her family more than words can say! I have so many great memories of Lee and her Mom too! How she loved the holidays with her family and friends! She will be missed by so many! RIP Lee❤️

Linda

Beautiful loving Susan and Family, Moms are special people, especially ones like yours. Lena was a great woman to admire.

Lena forever in God's Garden

God looked around his garden- And found an empty place,

He then looked down upon the earth- And saw your tired face.

He put his arms around you -And lifted you to rest.

God’s garden must be beautiful -He always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering -He knew you were in pain.

He knew that you would never – Get well on earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough – And the hills were hard to climb.

So he closed your weary eyelids – And whispered, ‘Peace be thine’.

It broke our hearts to lose you – But you didn’t go alone, your are with your love Dominic along with a

part of us – The day God called you home.

May God keep you all in His embrace in these difficult days ahead. Forever in my heart and loving prayers always, Jo Jo Joanne Bauer

LEE DI VITO

IN MEMORIUM

Kind. Compassionate. Devoted. Dedicated. Smiling.

These are just some of the words used to describe Lee Di Vito, a beloved and cherished member of the Star and Barry Tobias Health Awareness Center staff, who sadly passed away on July 7.

Lee first began her decades-long involvement with CentraState as one of the founding members of the Freehold Township Women’s Club, which initiated the fundraising to build Freehold Area Hospital (later renamed CentraState Medical Center). She then served as a volunteer in the Administration Department before joining the staff of the Health Awareness Center (HAC) in 1988. As the HAC’s business manager, Lee deftly handled the department’s finances with grace, professionalism, and an inspiring work ethic.

After receiving a cancer diagnosis 11 years ago, Lee became a loyal patient at CentraState. She always said that she considered CentraState to be part of her family, and she treasured the special relationships that she developed with her coworkers, primary care physician, oncologists (Drs. Silberberg and Soffen), and other CentraState employees who touched her life during this tumultuous journey. She was known for bringing armloads of gifts to the staff members she encountered during her cancer treatments to show her appreciation. And through it all, she continued to come to work at the HAC whenever she could.

Lee was an irreplaceable member of the HAC family, and her loss has left a hole in the hearts of all who worked with her and loved her. But her legacy will live on at CentraState and beyond.

There are not enough words to describe Lee. I was lucky enough to have worked side by side with her for 9 years at the Health Awareness Ctr @ CSMC.

She amazed me all the time with her lovely welcoming smile in the morning, positivity, generosity and kindness to everyone. I loved all her travel stories and knowledge of other countries and their traditions.

She always had great advice and listened to any situation I was dealing with. We shared many lunches and talks, it was the highlight of her day to chat in the kitchen with all of us and share her stories..she had the best laugh. She was selfless, took fabulous care of her parents, children & grandchildren! She loved being at work it was her second family! Lee had so much strength & determination over the past few years, she was my hero! Never giving up..she loved life to the fullest!

I'm glad she left us on her terms..I will miss her terribly. Rest peacefully my dear friend..I will always smile with a little giggle at the way you ended phone conversations with your 'goodbye'..Heaven has the sweetest Angel. God Bless xxoo..Sending my deepest sympathy to her children, grandchildren and extended family.

Love you, Pam & Family

Working with Lee over the past 20 years was a joy!

She was helpful, generous, warmhearted, always had a story to tell, sweets to share, and an opinion to voice.

Her love for and dedication to her family was apparent and admirable.

Lee was a true warrior, whose ongoing courage, work ethic, and strength of survivorship were an inspiration to us all.

'Although we will miss you dearly, you will always be alive within my heart, and the hearts of all those who knew and loved you. Our lives are better for having known you."

With my most heartfelt condolences,

Bella

So sorry for your loss. Lee was the kind of person many of us aspire to be but rarely achieve. She was indeed a great lady and a genuinely nice person that would do anything she could to help anyone who asked. I always told her that she was who I wanted to be when I grew up. She was an inspiration to everyone who met her and she will be sorely missed. She lived her life on her own terms and played whatever cards she was handed but always on her terms. She was only a few years older then me but I always looked up to her as a women who looked life in the eye and handled whatever came with grace and honesty and I will really miss her. There's a line from a country song that goes something like this "it's not what you take with you when you leave this world it's what you leave behind you when you go and her legacy is a family she was so proud of and the love and respect of everyone whose life she touched..

Lee was the most gentlest, kindest, compassionate, loving, yet, tough as a hammer, strong as a nail, and a "karate kid" of a fighter person I have ever known. Her wealth of knowledge and wisdom was beyond superb. Her sense of humor would light up any negative, dark situation, and her smile was contagious. Lee adored her family; her eyes would twinkle every time she spoke about her children and grandchildren and their accomplishments. I worked with Lee for 14 1/2 years side-by-side at the Health Awareness Center, and she called us the "nerve center". You have left a legacy, Lee, in the Health Awareness Center; I will forever cherish our wonderful, treasured memories and our last visit and conversation. I miss you my dear friend, my mentor. May the Angels wrap you with love, comfort, and strength. God Bless you and your family. With all my prayers and love.

There are not enough words to describe Lee. She was an inspiration in so many aspects in life. She left a lasting impression on all she met. If I could be an 1/8 of the person she was I will have succeeded in life. You will always be with me. Condolences to your family. Love you Lee!

Your “Lunch Buddy”

Lena was a perfect soul who lit up the room with her love and friendship and was the nicest person I ever met . My family and myself will miss her dearly as we miss her parents and my wife’s parents they are all together now enjoying heaven . The world could use a lot more people like her it really lost a wonderful person

Lee was the heart and soul at our job. She truly felt like a second mother. If you needed something you got as soon as she could...no need to ask again.

Her kindness and caring will be her legacy.

She will be missed...

Lee was a fixture in the Health Awareness Center. She put us all to shame with her dedication and energy. She loved all and was loved by all. She was a historian, not just for CentraState but for Freehold as well. She became a mother to me and I will cherish her advice, counsel and recipes.

She filled the kitchen with her memories and stories. It was an honor to work alongside of her for nearly 20 years.

Rest well Lee. Your job here is done. We will miss you

Terri Brown

Lee came to work at the Wellness Center shortly after it opened. She was one giant bubble of kindness and light. She made everyday pleasant❤️❤️ Her amazing talents, love of life and family were such a pleasure to behold. I feel so blessed to have known her and called her friend. Sadly, I am relieved that her suffering is behind her and she is whole, healthy and is surrounded by all who love her. Love and blessings to her family and all who are mourning her passing. Rest easy, Lee.

Volunteering in the Health Awareness Center just won't be the same without Lee. She has been there since my wife Judy (who also passed away several years ago) and I moved to MANALAPAN and started volunteering in 2007. We shared many illnesses in common. We also shared many good family events in common.

Coming to CentraState every Tuesday was not only volunteering it was like being with your family.

I will really miss you Lee. With all my love.

Warren Carter

Special people come into our lives for a reason. I had the honor of having (Lee) as the most wonderful friend, co-worker & work mom anyone could have ever asked for. Missing you is an understatement!! RIP my dear friend.

Laurie Damiani

I am heartbroken from the passing of Lee. She was not only a dedicated employee whom I have known for over 35 years, but I considered Lee a dear friend. Lee was kind, loyal, and always made you laugh with her stories! Lee was passionate about the well being of her family and always made them her priority. The last conversation we had recently, Lee was still optimistic and kept her sense of humor. She was one of the most sincere people I have ever met, and always put the need of others before herself. At work, she strived to do her best always, and made everyone feel like she was not only a friend, but a member of your family . Lee will be missed and always remembered by anyone who knew her. May she Rest In Peace.

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Lee. I knew her from my business relationship with Centrastate. I really loved speaking to her when I would visit and bring Christmas treats that I know she truly appreciated and enjoyed. I knew her for 17 years. I will miss her and always remember her. May she Rest In Peace and may her family & friends find comfort in memories. Warm regards, Monique Moskowitz