Obituary of Diane K. Gartell

Diane Karen Gartell, 78, of Binghamton, New York, was a loving partner, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She passed away suddenly at her home on November 18. If you knew Diane, you knew of her universal kindness and warm smile. You knew of her innate ability to make someone she just met feel like family. She was happiest when hosting a dinner party with her favorite people, playing with her six grandchildren, fishing with Phil, or reading a three-day old newspaper on the couch. Diane was born in Toledo, Ohio, and was the daughter of Frank and Pearl Bizzano. She attended the University of Buffalo, and spent many years as a school teacher and working mom. She took great pride in being a devoted member of the community, volunteering and being involved in countless charities in the greater Binghamton area and beyond. She is survived by her partner of 26 years, Phil March; her daughters, Kerri Gartell Eng and Julie Gartell Tobin and her son, Michael Wesley Gartell; her sons-in-law Rick Eng and Michael Tobin, and daughter-in-law Emily Eckland Gartell; and the grandchildren she adored, Gabrielle Pearl Eng, Jonah Dean Eng, Zoe Taylor Tobin, Mia Avery Tobin, Zachary Max Gartell and Frankie Grace Gartell. A Celebration of Life service will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 18 at The Beef Restaurant on 62 Leroy Street in Binghamton. If interested, donations can be made in Diane's name to The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier, 60 Morgan Road, Binghamton, NY 13903.