Diane Helen Cope was born in Bethlehem, The Christmas City, on September 06, 1943 to the late Martin S. and Ann (Skrip) Petraitis and would become one of the most magnificent shining stars you would ever see and know.
Grace, art, poetry and song...she naturally mastered them all! She danced so beautifully with Miss Jeanne's School of Dance Arts as a young girl for 10 years performing on stage locally and in Tony Grant's Show at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City. Diane still revered Miss Jeanne later in life and in her heart would have loved to continue dancing. She moved through life with complete grace.
Diane was vastly creative. She made magical art; sketching/drawing using different mediums, pottery and more. She used basic supplies and turned them into things of beauty!
Her focus was not on material things, but the well being of those around her. She put her ALL into everything she did and whenever she encountered someone in need, she helped however she was able. This started when she was just a young girl, taking Brenda, her younger sister, under her wing and then helping to care for her baby sister, Marilyn, who developed cerebral palsy during childbirth.
During her attendance at Kutztown 'College', Diane was asked to take time out to continue caring for Marilyn. Shortly thereafter, in 1965, she became a Student Teacher at Franklin Elementary School in the Bethlehem District and after graduation in 1966, she was offered a full time position there and taught Kindergarten and Second Grade until Thomas Jefferson Elementary opened in 1972. Her First Grade (open concept) classroom was her creative outlet. She enjoyed spending time during summer break preparing her room for the next school year/group of children and would often go in on weekends during the school year to add her special touch to the classroom. Early mornings, staying late, she did it all with love- and for the children. It was as if she was born to teach and help children develop. Her very artistic talent shone on her bulletin boards, daily lessons, free standing display and learning stations. Diane was soft spoken and eloquent and held the attention and respect of her class. She had an inner peace, a very calming spirit, was genuine and lead by example. Each year she would teach the sign language symbol for 'I love you' and exchanged it regularly with her students. She taught and loved all the children as if they were her own. Her career spanned more than 25 years, most of which were spent teaching First Grade at Thomas Jefferson. She experienced health issues and had to retire sooner than she had hoped.
While teaching, Diane became 'Mrs. (Joseph) Todisco' and had one child (very blessed to call her mom). Her artistic talents still shining: drawing, designing, sewing clothing for herself and for her infant, sometimes to match. It so happened that Diane would raise their daughter, alone, for almost a decade until she became 'Mrs. (Michael) Cope' in 1980. They were members of Dubbs Memorial UCC in Allentown where they performed in the Christmas (pageant) play, Diane sang in the church choir and prepared devotionals to present to the adult Sunday School Class.
She was later engaged to (the late) Ray 'Ed' Zentmeyer, who would ultimately be her life partner. Together, they were members of the Zion Choral Society in the early 90's. They joined family gatherings, loved a game of pinochle and took weekend trips as time and circumstances allowed. Diane's health continued to decline and Ed gave care as long as he was able. Caregiver, Angel then came in until Diane was transitioned into the full care and company of family.
Dealing with multiple, seemingly unfair health challenges, Diane received much love and attention especially during the last several years of her life. She found comfort in classic musical movies, sometimes singing along and smiling. There always seemed to be a song in her heart, she would sing "Let the sun shine in, face it with a grin..." She was nicknamed 'Beautiful', 'Sunshine' and 'Buttercup'. She treasured the memory of her dad's compliment (-1948) "You are pretty as a buttercup on a hillside"!
Diane was living in Bernville with her daughter, Jennifer Jo and son-in-law, Jeffrey Staples, by whom she is survived. She is also survived by her sister, Brenda Kocer; Allentown, many cousins and a niece. Diane was pre-deceased by her youngest sister, Marilyn Petraitis, in June.
This beautiful woman's life was dedicated to teaching, giving, caring and in every circumstance considering others before herself. It is our intention to continue giving in her memory in the form of a scholarship.
If you consider sending a contribution to this fund:
'The Foundation for the Bethlehem Area School District' in memory of Diane H. Cope
PO Box 646, Bethlehem, PA 18016 or online at: TheFoundationBASD.org
She had a deep faith in God and He is now holding her in His arms.
She will be missed and she will be forever loved!
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