Diane Heim Levine

Diane Heim Levine passed away peacefully at age 94 on November 4, 2025 at Kingsway Arms in Schenectady, New York after a short illness.

Diane was born April 20, 1931 in Brooklyn, New York to Sarah and Harris Heim. Diane’s family relocated during the depression to Ithaca and Cortland, New York where Diane spent the war years. After the war, the family relocated to Brooklyn where Diane finished her high school education.

After completing an associate’s degree in retailing, her early employment was in the fashion industry in New York City in the mid-1950s. It was there she met Joseph Levine to whom she was married for twenty years raising three boys.

After a career in the fashion industry, Diane later found employment serving as a legal assistant to a private practitioner in White Plains, New York, sometimes appearing in court for calendar calls to tell the presiding justice “plaintiff is ready for trial Your Honor!” She then enjoyed a long tenure as a legal assistant to an in house counsel at the former American Can Company. While working, Diane proudly earned her bachelor’s degree at Pace University.

Perhaps her most rewarding employment came with her long tenure as the Executive Assistant to the Director of the Jewish Guild for the Blind, now known as the Lighthouse for the Blind, in New York City. While there, she spent many volunteer hours reading for the organization’s books on tape program which provide enjoyment to countless sight impaired individuals. Working in the City allowed Diane to indulge her passion for classical music and opera, attending many performances at Lincoln Center.

It was during her employment in New York City that Diane became one of the earliest members of the fledgling Jane Austen Society of North America which allowed her decades of fulfillment regarding her passion for the novels of Jane Austen. Until physical limitations prevented, Diane attended the Society’s annual meetings across the United States and Canada and even visited Jane’s hometown of Bath, England. She was thrilled when her son Paul and his wife Jenny named their first child Emma, the title of one of Jane’s most famous novels.

Diane retired to Ithaca, enjoying many years with childhood friends and forging new connections. While in Ithaca she volunteered at a local library reading to young children and also served as a docent at the Johnson Museum at Cornell University.

Later in life, Diane moved to Delmar, New York to be close to Paul and Jenny for support. She again enjoyed making new friends, giving back to her community by serving on the board of the Bethlehem Historical Society and watching her grandchildren grow and always being part of family gatherings. Towards the end of her life, she was over the moon with her great grand-children.

Diane is survived by her sisters Marcia (Elliot) Sainer and Betsy (Robert) Kaplan, sons Carl (Elena) and Paul (Jenny), five grandchildren, Emma, Margaret, James, Stephanie and Jerry and nine great grandchildren as well as cherished cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends. She was predeceased by her son Daniel and brothers David and Charles.

Diane’s family expresses gratitude to the wonderful staff at the Kingsway Community, St. Peter’s Hospital and Community Hospice for their care of Diane. A special thanks to Diane’s dear friend Sonia Long for her friendship, help and support. Appreciation to the Gold Coin restaurant in Slingerlands for always making Diane feel welcome.

At Diane’s request, a memorial will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family. Donations may be made in her memory to the Key Training Center of Lecanto Florida, a wonderful organization assisting persons with developmental disabilities, where her brother Charles spent his later years (https://keytrainingcenter.org/).