Diane F. Koch

Diane Francis (Stackewicz) Koch has been called home to tend God’s Garden on January 7th, 2024, after a long courageous battle with dementia. She had been part of the Kingsway Arms community since 2012.

Born in Schenectady, New York, on June 16, 1937, Diane was the eldest daughter of Edward and Gertrude Aniolek Stackewicz and a 1956 graduate of Mont Pleasant High School. She married in 1960 (George Koch) and was blessed with five children.

After graduation, her professional focus was grounded in the secretarial arts. She worked with local insurance and real estate companies, before culminating her career as an Executive Secretary to the Adjutant General of the New York Army National Guard in Latham.

Diane had a creative soul and devoted herself to numerous projects and passions throughout the years. A talented artist, she found great pleasure expressing her creativity through various hobbies. She enjoyed rug braiding, toll painting, ceramics, crafting, gardening, and flower arranging. Other hobbies included bowling, golfing, cooking, and travel. Camping with family at Sunset Bay was her seasonal pleasure. In her retirement, she was an active member of the Ripe Red-Hot Tomatoes, an Albany chapter of the Red Hat Society, and a volunteer at Proctor’s Theater and worked at Saratoga Raceway.

Diane is Survived by her five children, Charlene Nielsen of Corinth, Judiane Koch of Colorado, Michelle Koch (Artie Loux) of New Salem, Kyle Koch of Schenectady, and Christine Hayes of Gloversville; eleven grandchildren to whom she was endlessly devoted: Christopher (Lauren) Nielsen, Heather (Andrew) Boyea, Dylan Golden, Derek Golden, Echo Golden, Drake Golden, Emerald Golden, Shawn Whitaker, Colleen (Ryan) Orlando, Meghan Hayes, Ian Hayes, and great-grandchild Holley Orlando; three siblings, Lorraine Baker of Texas, Paul Stackewicz of Clifton Park, and Kim (Joe) Savoie of Schenectady; her former spouse, George Koch of Voorheesville, and several nieces and nephews. Diane was predeceased by her parents, Edward and Gertrude Stackewicz.

The family wishes to express its gratitude to staff of Kingsway Arms Community for their compassion and exceptional care provided to Diane over the past eleven years.

A visitation to celebrate her life will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2024 from 2pm – 5pm, with a service immediately following at Bond Funeral Home, 1614 Guilderland Ave., Schenectady, NY 12306.

Please consider making a donation to the Dementia Society of America or the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York in Diane’s memory.