Diane Marie Strempel

Diane Marie Strempel (née Eckhardt), born on December 29, 1946, in Elyria, Ohio, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio, at the age of 77, from her battle against Vascular Dementia. A beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, Diane's life was marked by her profound kindness and enduring compassion.

Diane is survived by her loving daughters, Tracy Ricchiuto (Robert) and Kathy Dunbar Leone; and grandchildren, Rachel Ricchiuto and her fiancé Spencer Hovanetz, Dominic Ricchiuto, Jacob Dunbar, and Sophia Dunbar. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Abigail Dunbar, and her parents, Georgia Belle and Junior Lloyd Eckhardt.

Diane graduated from Elyria High School in 1965 and dedicated her career to serving others. She began her journey in healthcare, working at Shady Acres Nursing Home, and later served as a Social Worker for Lake County. Diane's career path also led her into food service management and store management at Madison's local grocery store. Above all, Diane cherished her role as a mother to her two daughters and a grandmother to her four grandchildren, a role she embraced with boundless love and dedication. She made many sacrifices raising her daughters, but she took great pride in being their mother. 

Her life was filled with laughter, love, and the joy of simple pleasures. Diane was an avid fan of the Cleveland Indians, enjoyed crocheting, solving puzzles, and reading. She had a unique sense of humor and loved sarcasm with those around her. Diane spent countless hours with her grandchildren, offering them her unconditional love and attention. Diane loved to talk to everyone and enjoyed the company and conversation with her girlfriends over coffee, especially with her best friend, Jean.

Diane was always independent and worked hard but her great joy was having her family together to laugh and love. She dedicated her life to the needs of her daughters and grandchildren. Diane also loved spending time with her dogs and especially her most recent, Maya and Jo-Jo (Joesphine). 

Diane was honored in 2014 as the grandmother of the Year by the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Broward County, Florida, for her heartfelt contributions of crocheted baby blankets to the babies in the NICU, a tribute to her late granddaughter, Abigail Dunbar.

 A private family memorial service will be held in Madison, Ohio, where Diane raised her daughters, and had many friends and neighbors who she cherished throughout the years. Diane enjoyed endless sleepovers with her grandchildren and made Madison her home for over 50 years. In lieu of traditional mourning, the family chooses to celebrate Diane's life and legacy, remembering her as a loving, kind, generous, and beautiful soul, always striving to bring happiness to others without judgment. We hope your memories of Diane will fill you with peace. 

 Her life will be forever cherished and remembered. Our family knows we will see her again and she can rest now knowing she is in God's loving hands. 

 Condolences and special memories of Diane can be shared with her loved ones online at www.heritagecremationsociety.com