Dianne Hope Howe Tornatore died February 6, 2026, in Georgetown, Texas, surrounded by family. She was 86 years old.

Dianne was born in Oneida, New York, on July 25, 1939, the fourth child of Virginia and William Howe, and graduated Oneida High School in 1957. She married Tommy Tornatore of Canastota in 1959 and later that year daughter Sheri was born. The family grew to include sons Tom Jr., Paul, and David.

In addition to New York, Dianne and Tom lived in Pennsylvania, Louisiana, New Jersey, Florida, South Carolina, and Texas. She and Tom were married 66 years.

Dianne had fond memories of growing up in a large family, singing in the school choir as well as with her family, led by her father who sang in a barbershop quartet. She loved sports her whole life; she was a cheerleader and basketball player in Oneida, and she was a great supporter of all of her children who also excelled in athletics. She and Tom were avid Yankee fans and loved watching college sports.

Her cooking and baking were inseparable from her identity, and her famous Christmas cookies were eagerly anticipated by the family each year. She loved playing cards with her sisters and family, especially cribbage, and enjoyed taking her chances with slot machines, poker, and late in life, bingo. Whether she won or not, she was a great sport. She was a voracious reader and crossword player and loved music from Pavarotti to Willie Nelson. Tom and Di loved to take a turn around the dance floor, especially in their younger days.

Dianne held various jobs over her lifetime, beginning with Dibbles Inn in Vernon and Vernon Downs race track. She worked in retail and managed various offices over her career.

Dianne touched many with her kindness, generosity, and sense of humor and will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

She is survived by husband Tom and daughter Sheri (Allison) of Austin, Texas; sons Tom Jr. of Wood Ridge, New Jersey; Paul of Hawthorne, New Jersey; and David of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; sister Davita Tornatore of Newark, Ohio; and grandchildren Gabrielle, Paul Jr., Nicholas, Paisley, Justin, Ashley, Benjamin, and Victoria.

She was preceded in death by her parents Virginia and William Howe and siblings Donald, Donna, Darla, Deana, and David.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Dianne on Saturday, June 6, at the Hyatt Place Fair Lawn/Paramus, New Jersey, beginning at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association.