Diana S Reist

Diana S. Reist was an artist: paper cuttings and painted glass, quilts and knitted scarves, banana bread and peach crisp all made with love in her sunny studio and kitchen. On July 20, 2026, Diana joined the great creator in His eternal world of color and beauty.

Diana was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 19, 1935, the youngest of three daughters of Dr. Donald C Smelzer and Ethel Proper Smelzer. She was a graduate of Lower Merion High School (1953) and was the only woman in her class of industrial arts majors at Millersville University (1957). She was predeceased by her husband, Roger S. Reist (2010) and her son, Gregory L. Reist (2020) and is survived by children: Barbara Reist Dillon (Jesse) and David F. Reist (Danielle) and her beloved grandchildren: Miranda Dillon (Arlington VA), Alexander Dillon (Athens GA), Benjamin Reist and Carly Reist, both of Lititz PA.

Diana taught Industrial Arts at Delhass High School (Bucks County) where she was such a novelty that it warranted several newspaper articles, “… a young lady who is as handy with a lathe and jigsaw as she is with an electric mixer and cake pans.” Following her marriage to Roger, she devoted her time to her family, including a fierce advocacy for her disabled son, Gregory, and her community.

Diana was a past Pennsylvania State President of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, President of the Lancaster Chapter of American Association of University Women, a historical crafts demonstrator at Landis Valley Museum, a past member of the Hamilton Club and a life-long member of both the Lancaster County Garden Glub and First Presbyterian Church of Lancaster where she started the church nursery, served as Elder and Trustee and graced the sanctuary with her quilted banners and vestments.

A talented artist, she spent many afternoons painting birdhouses, boxes, and glassware as well as making intricate paper cuttings and quilts. In later years, knitting kept her hands busy as her eyesight faded.

One of Diana’s proudest moments was her induction into the Pennsylvania Voter Hall of Fame for 50 years of consecutive voting. She read the newspaper daily and took her civic responsibilities seriously—voting in person as recently as the May primary.

Diana was a firm believer in the concept of “good trouble” as anyone who dealt with her would attest whether that was caring for her family, her friends or her community--- she blazed a trail that we continue to follow.

“Why would a girl want to teach shopwork? Isn’t that a man’s job? … she said that it is…unless there is a girl that can do the job as well. And she feels sure she can.”

A Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 140 East Orange Street, Lancaster, PA at 3:00 PM on Sunday, July 26, 2026.  Prior to the service you may greet the family at 2:00 PM at DeBord Snyder Funeral, 141 East Orange Street, Lancaster, PA.

Memorial donations in Diana’s honor may be made to P.E.O. International, a women’s educational organization at: www.peointernational.org