Diane Berger

Diane Berger, 77, was born in Brooklyn and moved to Staten Island in her 20’s. She is predeceased by her parents Gil and Theresa Thomas. Diane is survived by her loving husband of 37 years, Mitchel V. Berger. She was a devoted mother to her son, David Vota, and his wife, Stacie, and an adoring grandmother to Olivia Vota, Kristy Cardaci, and Jaclyn Ventre, along with her great grandchildren Peyton and Lincoln. She is also survived by her brother Ronald Thomas and his wife Judy.

Diane became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2000 after retiring from the Department of Education, where she taught chemistry at various Staten Island high schools, including Tottenville and Staten Island Tech, where she initiated an Advanced Placement Chemistry course and could boast of a 100% passing rate for her students on the Chemistry Regents. She also developed the Westinghouse Science Talent Search Program at S.I. Tech, resulting in 5 semi finalists during her time as coordinator. Diane attended NYU School of Social Work in 1996 and began her private practice in 2002 until present. She loved being a social worker and felt that it was her true calling. She spent time at the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services before opening her private practice.

Diane loved to travel and went to many foreign countries with Mitchel, such as Prague, Budapest, and her favorite city, Florence, where they toured and enjoyed the local cuisine. She loved walking and keeping herself fit. One passion of hers was cooking healthy food and finding new recipes. For Diane, one of her most favorite things to do was spend time with her granddaughter Olivia. She especially loved attending every single theatre performance Olivia was a part of, even cutting her vacations short to attend. She was Olivia’s biggest supporter. Diane also loved singing in the choir at St. Joseph St. Thomas every Sunday and truly enjoyed singing at the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, while Mitchel joined in.

In lieu of flowers, donations to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Hospital is greatly appreciated.