Obituary of Diane Eckert-Amantea

DIANE ECKERT-AMANTEA September 26, 1954 - July 26, 2015 Pine Bush, NY Diane Eckert-Amantea, a Managing Editor for King Features Syndicate in New York City, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family after a courageous five year battle with cancer on Sunday July 26, 2015. She was 60. The daughter of the late George Rapp and Ida Merla-Martin, she was born on September 26, 1954 in Bronx, NY. Diane was a moderator for the online chat group, "Dark Shadows". Along with being a professional singer, Diane was avid in Off Broadway Theater performances and starred in multiple plays such as "The Sound of Music" from 1977-1978 at Lincoln Center where she commanded the lead role. She also acted in plays for many Senior Citizen Centers, volunteered in hospitals, and was a voice in "Cannon Towel" radio commercials in the 1970s. Diane also worked in Crispell Middle School as a Cafeteria Worker. Survivors include her husband, John at home; step children: John Amantea and his wife, Crystal of Richmond, VA, and Michael Amantea and his longtime companion, Melissa of Centerville, VA; sister, Maryanne Garofalo and her husband, George of Florida; Godchild, Alexis Garofalo also of Florida; step sister, Cheryl Fendell and husband, Mark of Bensalem, PA; brother-in-law, Robert Amantea and his companion, Nancy of Atlanta, GA; sisters-in-law: Lorraine Storck and her companion Glenn Miller, and Mary-Ann Pistritto and her husband, Robert of Congers. Diane is further survived by many other nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 & 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28th at the William M. Gagan Funeral Home Inc., 1525 Burlingham Rd., Pine Bush, NY 12566. A Funeral Mass will be offered at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29th at the Church of the Infant Saviour. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Diane's name to a local ASPCA or Humane Society. Entombment will take place at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Putnam Valley. Arrangements entrusted to the William M. Gagan Funeral Home Inc. www.wmgaganfuneralhome.com