Diana M. Tirion

Mary "Diana" Tirion, born October 6th, 1941, in Seattle, WA, was the daughter of the late Lambert and Nora "Patricia" (Briggs) Schuyler. Diana passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on June 1, 2024. Raised on Bainbridge Island, WA, and in San Clemente, CA, Diana's early years were marked by adventure and a love for her unique homes, including. Casa Romantica, now an historic landmark and a cultural center in San Clemente.

A 1959 graduate of Bainbridge Island High School, Diana moved to Reading, PA. She pursued higher education with vigor, attending Gettysburg College, earning a BA degree in English at Albright College, and finally, a Master's of Education with a specialization in French from Kutztown University in 1966. Diana also spent a year studying at the Sorbonne and The Alliance Française in Paris, and later worked at a Parisian real estate firm, Previews Inc.

Diana dedicated 30 years of her career to teaching English and French at Wilson, Governor Mifflin, and Reading High Schools. Her passion for education extended beyond the classroom; she volunteered with several organizations in Reading, including the Junior League, Mentors for Berks Youth, Reading Symphony Orchestra, and Minerva Speakers' Group. Diana also served the community through her work at the Reading Hospital for five years in the Accident Dispensary, The Children's Home of Reading, and with the Historical Society.

Diana was married to Thomas J. A. Tirion of Wassenaar, The Netherlands, in 1966 and together they built a close-knit family. Diana is survived by her beloved children, Alexander Tirion and Angela Tirion, as well as her daughter-in-law, Amy Tirion, her son-in-law David Lee and her daughter-in-friend, Jillia Wharton. She was also a cherished grandmother to Eva, Aria, Alexander, and Nicholas. Diana is survived by two of her three brothers and their families: Van Sternbergh of White Horse, Yukon, and his ten children, and Ethan Skylar of Bainbridge Island, WA, and his four sons. Her deceased brother, Lambert Schuyler, is survived by Barbara Rick Schuyler and their sons and their children.

Diana's life was filled with adventure and excitement. She cherished her time living with her Aunt, Gertrude Sternbergh at Stirling, the home of James Hervey Sternbergh, her grandfather, and meeting fascinating artists and guests from around the world. She helped sail a 76-foot yacht to Bermuda in 1974, studied in Paris in her twenties, and attended the Burning Man desert festival in 2022 with her children at the age of 81. Her greatest joy, however, came from being with her loving family and her precious Goldendoodle, Bella, who brought immense joy and comfort to her life after her husband, Thom's passing in January of 2018.

During Diana's final six months spent in San Francisco, she bravely and gracefully continued to experience life. Our shared moments were spent at the Botanical Gardens, the ballet, exploring the beauty of Stow Lake, admiring multiple sunsets and happily enjoying peanut butter cups over an episode of "The Crown."

Diana leaves behind a legacy of kindness and deep appreciation for others, especially her loving friends and neighbors who always looked after her. Her remarkable wit and storytelling ability brought laughter to everyone through her hilarious poems, stories (some true, some fictional), and spontaneous one-liners. She was deeply curious about others and instilled this inquisitiveness in those around her. Many who met Diana were inspired and touched by her unique presence.

Diana wanted to thank each friend and neighbor in her community who supported her throughout her various life chapters. Diana was filled with gratitude and love for the outpouring of support you've given her during her illness, as well as your unwavering friendship that spanned decades.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on September 21, 2024, at 1pm in Christ Episcopal Church, 435 Court St., Reading, PA 19601. Please check our CaringBridge.com posting for specifics: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dtirion.com. Burial is private at the convenience of the family. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading, PA 19611, has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to UCSF's research towards leptomeningeal disease, the rare form of cerebrospinal fluid cancer, which ultimately afflicted Diana. We invite you to Click Here. (https://giving.ucsf.edu/fund/metastatic-cancer-research-melisko).

Bless you all and thank you for your love and friendship.