Obituary of Diane Spielvogel

Diane Spielvogel, 79, of State College, PA, passed away peacefully at home on July 28, 2019, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on January 6th, 1940, to Leo and Eileen Laughlin of Ellwood City, PA. She married her high school sweetheart, Jackson J. Spielvogel, on August 4th, 1962, in St. Agatha Church in Ellwood City. She was a 1957 graduate of Lincoln High School in Ellwood City, where she excelled as a student, and also on stage, starring as Sabrina in Sabrina Fair, and Anastasia in Anastasia, a role for which she won a Pennsylvania award for best actress. She attended St Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN, and transferred to Seton Hill College in Greensburg, PA, in part to be closer to her boyfriend, and later husband, Jackson J. Spielvogel. Diane had a lifelong career in education. She taught high school English at Lincoln High school in Ellwood City, PA., then at Pleasantville High School outside of Columbus, OH. After studying the Montessori teaching method, she then devoted the next 24 years of her professional life to the children and families of The Cooperative Playschool community in State College. Fondly known as Mrs. Diane, she both loved and enchanted her students and their parents. Her flair for dramatic performance, along with a deep curiosity and love for others, made her an inspiring and amazing teacher who has been remembered and revered by generations of families in the State College community. Retirement from teaching provided time to pursue her passion for interior design, expressed most vividly through the fifty-year beautification and careful renovation of one of State College's oldest homes. But nothing compared to her devotion and love for her family and close friends. She is preceded by her mother, Eileen Laughlin Walsh, father Leo Laughlin, step-father Walter Walsh, and sister Karen Spencer. She is survived by her husband, Jackson J. Spielvogel, brother-in-law James Spencer, sons Eric and Christian, daughters Jennifer and Kathryn, daughter-in-law Laurie, former daughter-in-law Liz, sons-in-law Edward and Daniel, and eight wonderful grandchildren, Devyn, Bryn, Drew, Elena, Sean, Emma, Jackson and Henry. As a wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and friend, Diane treated everyone with deep love and respect, listened with genuine interest, and in every instance sought to affirm those around her, to help them feel good about themselves, and to bring out their very best. She will be sorely missed. All services will be held on Saturday, August 3rd at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton Street, State College. Family and friends will be received for visitation from 11:00am-1:30pm. Followed by a funeral service at 1:30 pm. Burial will be held at the family's convenience. In lieu of flowers, please honor Diane's life by practicing random acts of kindness for others. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guestbook may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com, or visit us on Facebook.