MECHANICVILLE - Jeri F. Gargano-Diaz passed away Saturday, August 6th, after a second short bout with cancer. She was at home in Lindenhurst, NY with her devoted husband John (Diaz) when she slipped peacefully away.
After graduating from Mechanicville High School Class of 1984, Jeri attended and graduated fro the Fashion Institute of NYC. She had a career in fashion design. After working for Izod Sports Wear for a time, along with other companies, Jerri decided to broaden her horizons and studied to become an acupuncturist. She went to the Swedish Inst. College of Health Sciences, where she excelled in the study of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. She became nationally certified to practice Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. With that certification, she opened a small office in the Yoga Darshana Ctr on Long Island. Within a few short years, Jeri made many wonderful connections with people. She had made many friends on her short journey through life, and they will be forever touched by her beautiful heart and soul. Jeri was a very caring person who absolutely adored animals. She was a devoted and compassionate advocate for rescuing and loving abused and neglected animals. She had rescued many over the years, including birds. She loved cats and chickens especially, and leaves behind some young chickens, and her tow beloved bunnies, now in the care of her husband John.
Jeri met John Diaz about 16 years ago and they have been together ever since. They married in 2002 on Long Island, where they made their life in Lindenhurst. John’s two sons David and Greg, became Jeri’s sons. Her husband’s loving family became Jeri’s family. John’s brother Raymond and his wife Rochelle and their several children became very close to her and loved her as their own.
She is predeceased by her mother Mary A. DeLucia Gargano, her sister Mary Frances Gargano who we lost just 7 months ago and grandparents, aunts and uncles. She is survived by her most loving husband John Diaz, her father Gennaro (Jerry F. Gargano, sisters Rita Cain, Kathryn (Clyde Guth), Teresa F. Gargano, Ann Gargano and brothers Stephen F. and John Gargano (Rebecca). She adored her beloved nephews and is survived by Dallas B. Betts (Teresa) who is also her Godson, nephews Elia and Elton Gargano(John) and Nico Gargano (Ann).
Services were held for Jeri in Babylon, Long Island on August 11th and 12th, in a beautiful pink surrounding. She was surrounded by John and his family, some of her family, some of her classmates from Mechanicville Class of 1984, college classmates, her new friends from The Yoga Darshana Ctr, friends she made on Long Island many years ago, and her neighbors that she sold her little house next door to John’s Too. They became such very close friends.
Jeri was only 50 years old, but had accomplished so much. She touched many different people and really had a full life. There are no words to describe the loss her family feels. She will be so sadly missed, but we rejoice in her beauty and her memories.
In light that Funeral Services have been held on Long Island earlier, Jeri’s family believes that saying a kind word or doing a kind deed for someone else will keep their precious Jeri’s memory alive.

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