Obituary of Annette Buechel
Marie Annette Buechel, lovingly known as Annette, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 22, 2025, surrounded by her family at her home in The Villages, FL. Born on January 25, 1951, at Muhlenberg Hospital in Plainfield, New Jersey, she was the cherished daughter of the late Eugene and Marie DeLuccia.
Annette grew up in Plainfield and graduated from North Plainfield High School. She later earned her degree from the Katherine Gibbs School and went on to build a career as a dedicated administrative assistant at the accounting firm Bond Andiola in Raritan, New Jersey.
A woman of deep Catholic faith, Annette was a longtime parishioner of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Raritan, and later became a devoted member of St. Timothy Catholic Church in Lady Lake, Florida. Her faith remained a guiding presence throughout her life.
Annette lived in Branchburg from 1977 to 2000 before moving to Blairstown in 2002. After retiring, she relocated to The Villages in Florida, where she fully embraced the active lifestyle and warm community. An avid golfer, Annette not only won ladies’ tournaments in The Villages but also took great joy in participating in her family’s annual golf tournament. She was also the founder of the Branchburg chapter of the Challenger League, helping children with special needs enjoy the game of baseball.
Her adventurous spirit took her across the globe, traveling with her beloved husband, Tom, and anyone else who was ready to join in. Closer to home, Annette and Tom could often be found dancing together in one of the many town squares of The Villages, sharing in the joy of music and community. She especially treasured her time visiting her grandchildren, always making the effort to be present and involved in their lives.
Annette was predeceased by her first husband, Michael J. DiOrio, in 1978.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Tom Buechel; her loving children, Stacy Bloecher and her husband Bill Jr., Michael V. DiOrio and his wife Nancy, and William “Billy” Halderman; her stepchildren, Thomas Buechel and his wife Kara and Virginia Buechel and her wife Stefanie. She also leaves behind her beloved siblings, Fran Kruchkowski, Michelle Wrublevski, Jeanne Irving, Tina Romero, and Jackie Adams, as well as her adored grandchildren: Will Bloecher and his wife Alysa, Zoe Bloecher, Jasmine DiOrio, Michael D. DiOrio, Dante DiOrio, Cameron Buechel, Olivia Buechel, and Mallory Buechel.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, NJ. A Funeral Mass be on Thursday, July 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM at St. Helena Catholic Church, 950 Grove Ave., Edison, NJ. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Scotch Plains.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Annette’s memory to the American Cancer Society, a charity dedicated to sparing other families the pain of facing this terrible illness.
Annette’s love, warmth, and zest for life will continue to inspire all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.
