Diane Sechler (née Bleeker), 90

August 02, 2025

Diane Sechler (née Bleeker), beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Oak Leaf Manor North in Landisville, Pennsylvania. She was born on March 17, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, to George and Virginia (Dunn) Bleeker.

Diane graduated from Northwestern University in 1957, where she was a member of the Alpha Xi Delta Sorority and served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. She went on to dedicate her life to educating and nurturing young minds. After initially teaching at Ridge School in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, Diane taught second grade at Lititz Elementary School and later served as a bilingual kindergarten teacher at Carter & MacRae Elementary School in Lancaster, PA. Upon retirement, she traveled to China, where she spent a year teaching at the Donghai Experimental School. Wherever Diane taught, she was known for her kindness, creativity, and deep commitment to her students.

Diane was married to Charles Leslie Sechler; their marriage ended in divorce.

She was preceded in death by her sister Georgette (Bleeker) Adolphus and her son Gregory Allen Sechler. She is survived by her son Philip Andrew Sechler and daughter-in-law Charlotte (Osborn) Sechler; her grandchildren Rachel Lynn Sechler, Samuel Osborn Sechler, Sarah Jane Sechler, and Jacob Andrew Sechler; her nieces Laura (Adolphus) Hathcoat, Leslie (Sechler) Bleil, and Dawn (Sechler) Chupinsky; and her cousins Karen (Kirkman) Rolph and Carolyn Close. Diane cherished her family and found great joy in their lives and accomplishments.

Diane relished music and was an accomplished pianist. She loved her house on Raleigh Drive in Manheim Township and enjoyed her apartment at Old Hickory, where spent her later years. Near the end of her life, she moved to Oak Leaf Manor North, where she was cared for with warmth and dignity.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Diane’s memory may be made to the ASPCA or the Wounded Warrior Project, two causes close to her heart.

The family will hold an online memorial service for Diane on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at 1 PM EST. All are welcome to participate. Please contact the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home for details.