Mary Jane (Fabricius) Diener
September 18, 1948 November 19, 2025

On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Mary Jane (Fabricius) Diener entered into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She died peacefully at her home in Jonesborough, TN, at the age of 77, with her family by her side.

Mary Jane was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on September 18, 1948, to the late Daniel S. and Emily A. (Brozman) Fabricius. She was preceded in death by her younger brother, Daniel Fabricius; in-laws, Charles J. and Millicent C. (Metz) Diener, who loved her as their own daughter; and brother-in-law, Ray F. Pudliner.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Charles (Chuck) Diener; her daughter, Laurie Neal, and husband, Michael Jason of Jonesborough, TN; sister Deborah A. Pudliner of Bethlehem, PA and sister and brother-in-law Suzanne T. and Jay Shook of Bluffton, SC; sister-in-law, Thesha Fabricius of Owego, NY; granddaughters, Kayla Ketchie and Courtney Neal; and a great-grandson. She is also survived by nieces Sandra Huber, Karen Glueck, and Kimberly Rice; and nephews Eric Shook and Daniel Fabricius, along with many great-nieces and nephews.

Mary Jane grew up in Fullerton, PA, until moving to Belfast, PA, while in middle school. She graduated from Pen Argyl Area High School, Class of 1966. She married her first true love after meeting while both were working at Nazareth Steel Fabricators. She lived in Nazareth, PA, until moving to Bethlehem Township, PA, in 1974, where she lived until 2013. After many years of vacationing on Hilton Head Island, SC, she relocated to Bluffton, SC, to enjoy her retirement years with her husband. She was a resident of Bluffton, SC from March 2013 until October 2025, when she moved to Jonesborough, TN, to be closer to family.

In addition to Nazareth Steel Fabricators, she worked as a secretary at Speck Plastics, Inc., in Nazareth, PA. She also held various positions at Easton Hospital (where she was better known as “MJ”), including Secretary to the Director of Rehabilitation, Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Administration (COO), and Administrative Assistant to the Director of Risk Management until her retirement in 2011. After retiring and moving to South Carolina, she became a hospice volunteer at Hospice Care of the Lowcountry (part of MiraSol Health), where she spent time with patients reading the Bible as they went through their final life’s journey while also supporting their families. She was an active member and held various positions within the Bethlehem Junior Women’s Club in the 1970s. She loved visiting New York City with her family and Easton Hospital girlfriends, attending concerts with her husband, reading, cooking (especially pies), spending time shopping, pampering, and baking with her daughter, but most importantly, reading and studying the Bible.

Mary Jane was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, PA, and Church of the Cross in Bluffton, SC. She served on the Church Council, was a member of Stephen Ministries, and participated and led many Bible study groups. Her faith and hope in Jesus guided her life, as she was an example of what the hands and feet of Jesus looks like. Her words of acceptance, encouragement, love, and truth were evident in her actions whether being a listening ear, sharing her gift of cooking (especially her pie baking skills), writing a perfectly worded note, or sharing her faith, many hearts and lives were touched by her.

While going through some of Mary Jane’s keepsakes, the family found this poem in her Bible. It was written by her on May 26, 1977, five days after her father’s passing. She was overcome with love, care, and the generosity of so many friends:

Friends~
God gave us friends to share with, to laugh with, and cry with too.
He made each one special in their own little way
To give of themselves to help brighten the day.
Friends~
They help share the burden of one in distress,
As the Lord directs them to which way is best.
Friends~
As I write this, I’m asking the Lord to use me as He has you
To share with, to laugh with, and cry with too!

The Lord used her as a blessing to others, just as she asked. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who have reached out, written encouraging words, shared how she has touched your own lives, and prayed for her and us, during this difficult time. We are overwhelmed with your love and kindness just as she was so many years ago.

We would also like to thank the staff at Franklin Woods Hospital and Amedisys Hospice for their compassion, care, and support, which made it possible for Mary Jane to go to her new home where she was surrounded by those she loved and loved her during her last days.

Services and burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions can be made in Mary Jane’s memory to:

MiraSol Health formerly Hospice Care of the Lowcountry
P.O. Box 3827
Bluffton, SC. 29910
Or www.mirasolhealth.org/donate

Samaritan’s Purse
P.O. Box 3000
Boone, NC 28607
Or https://samaritanspurse.org/memorial-page/mary-jane-diener-jonesborough-tn