Diane Rochelle, age 60, beloved wife of Allen J. Rochelle, passed away on August 14, 2017, at Griffin Hospital, surrounded by her loving family, following a sudden illness.
Diane was born in Derby on October 15, 1956, loving and devoted daughter of the late Joseph and Connie Santilli Criscuolo. A lifelong resident of Seymour, at age fourteen she met (and later married) the love of her life, her husband Al, with whom she enjoyed nearly 43 years of marriage.
In addition to her husband Al, she leaves a son, Jared Rochelle of Seymour, daughters, Gina J. Calabro of Wayland, MA, Kara E. Rochelle of Derby and Wynonna G. Anglace of Shelton, adored granddaughters, Aubrey and Olivia Calabro, aunts, Dolores Dean (Jack) of Oxford and Rosalie Averill (Richard) of Seymour, best friend, Kathy Pelletier and her son Thomas of NC, several dear cousins and beloved dog, Emma.
Diane was vibrant and selfless, with a one-of-a-kind sense of humor.
She loved children, animals, and good people. She was also a lover of music, reading, and spending time with her big, extended Italian family. She was the proud owner of Di’s Daycare for over 25 years where she nurtured and cared for hundreds of children, each as if they were her own.
She was the founder and president of Love & Learn Childcare Association.
She devoted time to good causes, such as raising money for Muscular Dystrophy and organizing a barn raising with her husband to rebuild a friend’s home after a fire.
Her kind-hearted and generous spirit was inspiring. Diane was tremendously proud of all of her children and raised them to value family, kindness, and understanding that the best things in life aren’t things.
“To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to leave the world a better place, to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded.” ‑Ralph Waldo Emerson
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday August 17, 2017, from 4:00 – 8:00 pm in the chapel of the SPINELLI-RICCIUTI/BEDNAR-OSIECKI FUNERAL HOME, 62 Beaver Street in Ansonia.
Her funeral service will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Diane’s memory may be made to Halfway Home Rescue, P.O. Box 712, North Haven CT or the New England Chapter of Autism Speaks, 85 Devonshire St. 9th Floor, Boston MA 02109.
To send an act of sympathy, please visit www.spinelliricciutifh.com.
