Sister Diane M. Richner (formerly Sister Margaret Raymond, IHM) died in Camilla Hall on Sunday, October 27, 2024 in the 61st year of her religious life.
Diane Mary Richner was born on July 3, 1944. Diane was the daughter of Raymond and Margaret (Kelly) Richner. Mr. and Mrs. Richner raised the family of four in Holy Child Parish in Philadelphia.
Diane attended Holy Child Elementary School (1950-1958), and Little Flower High School (1958-1962). Later, in Community, Sister earned an A.B. degree in Theology from Immaculata College and a B.S. degree in Home Economics and an Ed.M. degree in Elementary Education from Temple University.
Diane entered the Community on September 8, 1963; she received her habit and her religious name, Sister Margaret Raymond, on June 27, 1964, and pronounced her First Vows on June 28, 1966.
Beginning in the fall of 1966 until the school year ended in 1987, during the course of these 20 years, Sister Diane worked beautifully and patiently with first grade children at MBS, Most Blessed Sacrament, Annunciation, St. Richard, SS. Peter and Paul in Decatur and St. Monica in Berwyn.
Sister served as superior of Assumption Convent and principal of Assumption School in Atco, NJ from 1987-1990. For the next five years, Sister Diane taught third grade children at St. John of the Cross while serving as local superior of the convent.
For the next six years, 1995-2001, Sister Diane served the children of St. Francis de Sales, Sister did a wonderful job with these children. Moving from Philadelphia to Immaculata, Sister Diane worked her teaching magic with fourth grade children at Villa Maria Lower School Academy in Immaculata for two years.
Sister Diane then went to St. Joseph Convent in Collingdale where she served as local superior and third grade teacher in school. Sister’s ministry in Collingdale was a relatively short period of time as we withdrew from Collingdale at the school year ended 2005. For the next seven years 2005-2012, Sister taught third grade children at Incarnation School in Philadelphia.
In August 2012, St. Patrick School in Malvern opened a Learning Support Center. Sister Diane was asked to serve children in that center who needed an academic boost. Sister helped many children to achieve that boost. In August 2015, Sister Diane was asked to tutor specific children in St. Patrick School; she served as a tutor for the next eight years.
Sister M. Diane Richner was a terrific teacher who performed magic with little children, the children loved her. She had the heart of a child and the faith that moved mountains.
Sister suffered a fall in March 2023 and went to our Convent Home at Camilla Hall to recuperate. Sister remained in Camilla and served as a member of the Apostolate of Prayer until her death on October 27, 2024. God rest her beautiful soul!
In addition to her IHM Community Sister Diane is survived by her sister, Patricia A. Curatola (Tony), her brothers Raymond G. Richner (Diane) and Brian D. Richner, her nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Sister is predeceased by her parents Raymond G. Richner and Margaret Mary (Kelly) Richner.
Reverend John Burger, SSC, celebrated Sister Diane’s Funeral Mass on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355
Live streaming will be available Here.
Interment: Immaculata Cemetery
Memorial donations may be sent to Camilla Hall Nursing Home in care of IHM Mission Advancement Office.