Submitted by: Dan Rich
Diane Elyse Sager
May 8, 1947 - Sept. 4, 2008
South Bend Tribune 9/6/2008
GRANGER - Diane Elyse Sager, 61, of Granger, IN, passed
away September 4, 2008, in her home, surrounded by her loving
family after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Diane was
born in South Bend, May 8, 1947, to Elizabeth (Vineberg)
and Isadore Cossman. She is survived by her mother,
Elizabeth O'Connor; her life partner, Harvey Gluck
of Granger; two daughters, Lisa (Marty) Ignasiak of
Dublin, OH and Laurie (Mike) Pearce of Louisville, KY; and
two sons, Greg (Nadia) Sager of San Diego, CA, and Eric Sager of
Boulder, CO. Diane is also survived by eight grandchildren, Ty
and Lauren Ignasiak, Abby, Chloe, Ashley, and Courtney Pearce,
Ethan and Owen Sager; a brother, Neil Cossman (Ellen White) of
Oakland, CA; two sisters, Judith (Richard) Herbstman of
Buffalo Grove, IL, and Gayle Cossman (Neil Douglas) of Mishawaka,
IN; and her former husband, Steve Sager of South Bend, IN.
Diane graduated with honors from Riley High
School. She received both Bachelor of Science and Masters of
Education degrees from Indiana University South Bend. Diane loved
teaching, especially upper elementary grades. She taught her
entire career at Nuner Primary Center until her retirement in
2007. Diane was respected and well liked by both students and
colleagues. Diane enjoyed watching the Fighting Irish, the
Cubbies, and trips to Florida. Family was most important to Diane
and she loved when they came to visit. She was a devoted mother,
daughter, grandmother and sister. Diane was the center of her
family and her home was always the gathering place. She also
loved traveling around the country to visit her children and
grandchildren. Diane's smile radiated the room. Her amazing
spirit will live on through her devoted family and the many lives
she touched.
Funeral services for Diane will be held on
Sunday, September 7, at 2:00 p.m. at McGann Hay Funeral Home,
North Ironwood. Friends may visit with the family one hour before
services. Burial will be at Hebrew Orthodox Cemetery. In lieu of
flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to Ovarian Cancer
Research Fund, 14 Pennsylvania Plaza, Suite 1400, New York, NY
10122.