Diana C. Volcheck

Of West Chester, PA, Diana C. Volcheck passed away peacefully on July 23, 2010, at the age of 68 from metastatic breast cancer, surrounded by her family and friends.

She was born in 1942 in Wilmington. Her parents were Henry and Julia (Harwanko) Burgess. She attended Hamilton Junior High School in Baltimore, graduated from Wilmington High School, earned a Bachelor's degree in Spanish from the University of Delaware, and taught high-school Spanish before marrying her husband, Emil J. Volcheck, Jr. in 1965. They were married almost 44 years until Emil's death in 2009.

She was known to friends and relatives as a kind and caring person. Her volunteer activities included the Encore Shop of Chester County Hospital, Girl Scout Troop Leader and Cub Scout Den Mother, Patton Middle School library, and visiting residents of the Pocopson Home and other nursing facilities. She extended her generous spirit and the hospitality of her home to friends in need, foreign exchange students, and beneficiaries she knew through the "Save the Children" and "Fresh Air" programs.

Her curiosity and love of learning lasted throughout her life. For many years, she was the Editor of the "Geogram", the newsletter of the Delaware Mineralogical Society. Her love of gardening led her to study for and attain certification as a Master Gardener. Her love of language began with Spanish in college, and in her 60s, she began to study Mandarin Chinese at the Chinese American Community Center in Hockessin.

A devout Catholic, she attended Saint Agnes and later Saint Maximilian Kolbe church, where she sang in the choir and participated in daily mass.

She is survived by son, Emil J., III and daughter-in-law, Kathleen Wilsbach of Baltimore, MD; son, Christopher J.; daughter, Juliana M.; sister Alexandra (Donald) Willoughby of Walnut Creek, CA; and family member Jeremy Good.

The family wishes to offer special thanks and acknowledgments to friend Susan Baldwin, Nurse Laurie Clark, Nurse Joan Jenks, and Aide Maria Aiuto for their support and compassionate care.

Her Funeral will take place Thursday, July 29, beginning at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church 15 E. Pleasant Grove Road West Chester, with greeting and visitation at 9 am, followed by Mass at 10 am, interment of ashes at the Birmingham-Lafayette Cemetery, and a reception.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Delaware Mineralogical Society, Needleworkers Guild of America, Chadds Ford Historical Society, or Mount Cuba Astronomical Observatory.

Arrangements are being handled by DELLAVECCHIA, REILLY, SMITH & BOYD FUNERAL HOME Inc., West Chester, 610-696-1181.

www.DellaFH.com

610-696-1181

Published in The News Journal on July 26, 2010