On January 8, Diane Ringawa Magagna of Friar Road in Sherwood Village, Bloomsburg died peacefully at her home after a lengthy illness, surrounded by her loving children. She passed from this life in the same manner in which she lived it: with extraordinary grace, remarkable courage, and a loving heart.
Diane was born in Nanticoke on June 7th, 1940, the daughter of the late Dr. Peter Ringawa and Winifred Davey Ringawa. She spent her childhood in Nanticoke, with wonderful summers at the family home in her beloved Lake Nuangola. She attended public schools in Nanticoke until she transferred in sixth grade to the Wyoming Seminary Lower School, in Forty Fort. There she was inspired by the exceptional teaching and unforgettable presence of the legendary Bessie Garcelon Atwood and a host of other outstanding teachers. She excelled in academics, athletics, art, and music both at the Lower School and during her four years at the Upper School, in Kingston. Thus began a lifelong love and appreciation for Wyoming Seminary and its teaching staff, who gave of themselves so unselfishly.
Upon graduation from Wyoming Seminary with academic honors and exceptional athletic achievements, Diane entered Vassar College. She received her B.A. from Manhattanville College, and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Bloomsburg University.
In 1963, soon after the beginning of her eighteen-year marriage to John Magagna, Diane's extensive world travels began with a five-year residence in Tangier, Morocco, a country which she quickly grew to love. Her years there were marked by the births of her three daughters. In 1968, the family returned to the Wyoming Valley for affiliation with the Wyoming Seminary Lower School, during which time their son was born. In 1975, the family moved to Teheran, Iran, stopping along the way in Morocco for many happy reunions with old friends. Two years later, Diane relocated to Bloomsburg with her four children. Her love of children moved her to open a pre-school/childcare center which she joyfully managed for five years.
During this time she volunteered for the Bloomsburg Women's Center. She soon was hired there as the Children's Counselor/Advocate and spent the next twenty years working for the Women's Center and devoting her time to helping children in need.
When her own children were grown, she began a teaching career in American international schools abroad and spent the next seven years teaching grades K-3 in schools in Egypt, the Republic of Mali, Angola, and Lebanon. While overseas, she continued to have many wonderful adventures through her travels and always embraced the opportunity to learn about each country, its culture and its people.
Upon returning to the United States in 2007, Diane began substitute teaching in the Bloomsburg, Central, Danville and Berwick school districts. In 2009, she enrolled in Marywood University in pursuit of her Masters Degree in Social Work. Her hope was to open her own practice and continue her lifelong passion for working with children.
Diane's bravery and strength of character were inspiring. When diagnosed with Cancer in April of 2010, true to her nature, she chose a very aggressive treatment plan at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She amazed everyone by the extraordinary strength and courage which she showed during each phase of her treatment, as well as by her constant grace and dignity. After a lengthy hospitalization and a valiant seven-month battle, she was informed in late November that further treatment would be to no avail. In the face of this devastating news, Diane chose to seek Hospice care, which supports the goal of living a quality life each day, and to spend her final days at home with her family.
Because of her gentle graciousness and her supportive and compassionate nature, Diane was truly loved by children and adults wherever she went. Her passion for life, learning, art, music, and dance; her spirit of adventure; and, most of all, her love of and compassion for all people, were contagious and deeply affected all who knew her.
Among the many things Diane loved and enjoyed most in her full and rich life, nothing was more important than her children and their families. Diane will be missed beyond words by her family, her many friends, and by all those, literally from around the world, whose lives she touched.
In addition to her parents, Diane was preceded in death by a brother, Dr. Peter Ringawa Jr.
Diane is survived by a sister: Deborah Ringawa Luke; Three daughters: Ari Hock of Bloomsburg, Diane Sherman and husband Ken of Bloomsburg, Jessica Snyder and husband Robert of Lightstreet; a son: John F.H Magagna and partner Valerie Stromberg of Briar Creek; six grandchildren: Gavin Hawk, Ali Brown, Kelsey Sherman, Colby Sherman, Ethan Snyder, Rachel Snyder; and a great-granddaughter, Ava Brown.
For those wishing to send condolences privately, please mail them to Diane's daughter at :
Diane Sherman, 419 Millertown Road, Bloomsburg, PA 17815.
For those wishing, memorial contributions in honor of Diane are suggested to be made to the Children's Museum; 2 West 7th Street, Bloomsburg Pa, 17815, the Columbia County Head Start program; 1123 A Old Berwick Road, Bloomsburg, Pa. 17815, or Wyoming Seminary Scholarship Fund, Development Office, 201 N. Sprague Avenue, Kingston, Pa. 18704.