Obituary of Diane Lili Napolitan

Diane Lili Napolitan (née: Colwell), age 84, of Morristown, passed surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday June 14, 2023. Born in Teaneck, NJ at Holy Name Hospital, and formerly of Englewood, NJ; Wyckoff, Saddle River and Tewksbury, NJ; Barters Island, ME; and Morristown, NJ. Diane was the owner and head chef of The Upper Crust Restaurant in Flemington, NJ. She was an accomplished artist of many media: painting, needlework, collage, etchings and multi-media works. She was a concert-level classically trained pianist, traveled extensively throughout her life, learning the languages of many of the countries she visited including Finland, France, Spain and Germany. She was a graduate of Beaver College (now Arcadia University) with a degree in English. She worked at Conde Nast upon graduation and grew her love of literature exponentially, encouraging all her children’s intellectual and artistic journeys as artists, creators and thinkers. Diane lived life boldly and with great courage. Her talents and passions were shared joyfully and in abundance with everyone who knew her. Those fortunate enough to have attended a party hosted by Diane will remember them as extraordinary events. Daughter of the late Joseph and Paula Colwell, and sister Judy. Loving wife to Paul Napolitan, cherished mother to her children Gregory, Hope, Joel and Lisa and mother-in-law to Patricia, Lorraine and Simone. Beloved grandmother to Christopher, Chase, Rebecca, Dylan, Brett, Cassidy, Graham, Giorgio, Gabby, Livia, Alina and Emilia Mae; great grandmother to Caraleigh, Isabel, and Atticus.    

The family will receive family and friends on Saturday June 17^th from 1:00 - 5:00 PM at the Frank A. Patti and Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Home, 327 Main Street, Fort Lee, NJ “opposite the Fort Lee Library”. A service there will start at 4:30pm. For condolences, directions, or information www.frankpatti.com or call (201) 944-0100

Donations may be made in Diane's memory to the "Cancer Research Institute."