Diane J. Biesel (née Stevens), 91, of Haworth, NJ, entered into eternal life on December 17, 2025.

Beloved wife of 43 years to David Biesel. Loving step-mother of Deborah (Dennis)
Brugger, William (Talin) Biesel. Also survived by 4 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren,
several nieces and nephews, and one great-niece, a half-brother, David (Lucille) Plank and half-
sister, Bonnie Lurer.
Diane was born on February 15, 1934 in New York, NY to the late Douglas John Stevens and
Runa Eleanor Patterson. She was a teacher, librarian, and media specialist at the Cherry Hill
School, River Edge.
Diane earned her Certificate in Supervision and Master’s in Education at Seton Hall, her Library
and Information Science at Rutgers University, and her Bachelor’s at Trenton State College.
She loved all children, animals, and had a beautiful, coloratura soprano voice.
At the age of 4, she had her first solo. She went from performing live on Sunday choir and solos,
to major church and social events. Known for her marvelous singing voice, she appeared in a
voluminous number of major church and civic events, either as solo or “mass selected” choirs.
Diane was a member of the Child Development Center Board. She was also a very devout
member to the Episcopal community, including the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, All Saints
Church, and St. Luke’s Church. She was very active in the Episcopal Diocese of Newark,
especially under Bishop John Shelby Spong. She developed the Diocesan Lay Minister’s
Program and taught the first 13-month class. She served on numerous Diocesan communities,
and she helped to establish the Commission on Deaf Ministry.
Diane was the Vice President, CFO for St. Johann Press since 1974. She was a member of the
study skills committee and affirmative action committee for the River Edge Board of Education
(1988-90), as well as a member of the committee of academically gifted for River Edge Board of
Education (1977-83). She developed the School Library Media Series and was an editor for
Scarecrow Press. Diane worked as an instructor for children’s literature for Alphonsus College,
Woodcliff Lake, a media specialist for elementary schools and libraries for River Edge Board of
Education, and was a teacher and librarian for Arlington Board of Education.
She was a member of various committees, including the Division of School Media Specialists,
the River Edge Teachers Association, the Bergen County School Libraries Association, the
Educational Media Association of New Jersey, the Bergen Button Club, the National Button
Club, and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.
She was a library consultant for Pro Libra Associates, a member of River Dell Libraries
Cooperative, a member of the award committee for Rutgers University Graduate School of
Library Service, an adjunct professor for Seton Hall University, a consultant for new book
preview for Baker and Taylor Co., and a field service consultant for the New Jersey Department
of Education. She continued to work as a library consultant for Pro Libra Associates, working
with such facilities as the FBI Library, Coast Guard Academy, American Kennel Club, and many
private and public high schools, colleges, and universities. She was a field service consultant for
the New Jersey Department of Education from 1969-71.

A celebration of Diane’s life will be held on Monday, December 29, 2025 from 9:00 AM – 11:00
AM at the Frech-McKnight Funeral Home, 161 Washington Avenue, Dumont. Diane will be
laid to rest at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Diane’s memory to….
St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital
Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge Shelter, Oakland, NJ
Bergen County Animal Shelter & Adoption Center, Teterboro, NJ