LuAnne M. Ernest-Dias passed away unexpectedly on September 25, 2026 at Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY. She was 56 years old.

Born on April 15, 1970, at East Orange General Hospital, LuAnne was raised in Irvington. She attended Saint Paul the Apostle School from kindergarten through eighth grade before receiving a full scholarship to Union Catholic High School, where she graduated in 1988.

LuAnne dedicated her professional life to the legal field, building a career as a legal secretary for many attorneys and law firms. She spent the later years of her career with Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer.

But LuAnne's greatest legacy was not her career. It was the love she gave to others.

LuAnne had one of the most generous hearts anyone could know. She was beautiful inside and out, intelligent and deeply caring. Those who knew her often said the same thing about her: she was one of the most caring people they had ever known. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a special ability to make people feel loved and cared for.

LuAnne loved her husband, John Dias, deeply. He was the love of her life and best friend as she was to him and have been inseparable since the day they met 26 years ago. They married 6 years ago and with their fur baby, DAX, have shared many adventures together. LuAnne loved trips to the beach to see sunrises and sunsets with John and DAX. They also enjoyed sports together, especially Mets, Giants ant Rutgers games. The only thing bigger than their love for each other was her beautiful, caring heart.

LuAnne and her mother, Lorraine, shared an extraordinary bond. They often seemed to have the same thoughts and feelings, sometimes knowing what the other was thinking without having to say a word. Their connection was deep, loving, and special—a bond that her mother will treasure for the rest of her life.

LuAnne always loved the water and boats. That love was nurtured by her beloved stepfather, Tom.

Her love of the water eventually brought her to the home she shared with her husband, John, in Lanoka Harbor. There, LuAnne could watch the water, boats, and swans passing through the lagoon, surrounded by the peaceful setting she loved so much. It was a place that brought her happiness.

LuAnne will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her husband, John Dias; mother, Lorraine; stepfather, Rocky; siblings, Joseph, Candi, Thomas and his wife, Katie, and William;; Rocky’s mother, Florence; his brother, George, and his wife, Patricia; their daughter, Jennifer, and her family; nieces and nephews, Amanda Krystina, DeAnna, Michael, Christopher, Nicholas, Justin, Alexander, and Madison; and her nephew, Tyler, of whom she was a beloved godmother; her aunt, Rita, and her husband, Bernie; her cousins, Michael and his wife, Lorena, and their daughters; Lynnanne and her husband, Mark, and their children; her stepfather Tom’s sister, Nancy, and her husband, Vinnie; their daughters, Linda and Christine; and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews ; loving mother in law, Joan Dias brothers in law, Robert and Christopher Dias and may other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Anthony; stepfather, Tom, who held a special place in her heart; uncle, Bill; and beloved grandparents, Florence and Francis.

LuAnne’s sudden passing has left a profound emptiness in the hearts of everyone who loved her. But the love she gave so freely to her friends and family will remain—in the memories she created, the laughter she shared, the kindness she showed, and in the hearts of the people whose lives she touched.

A Funeral service will take place on Thursday evening, October 8, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at Costello-Greiner Funeral Home, 44 Green Street, Woodbridge, NJ 07095. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers contributions to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org) in LuAnne’s memory would be greatly appreciated by her loved ones.