Rochelle V. Dietz

Rochelle V. Dietz

Educator
Soloist and Music Director

Rochelle V. Dietz, 80, of Felton, and formerly of Brunnerville, died Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at WellSpan York Hospital. Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Russell R. and Verona Rickert Erb. Rochelle was the loving wife of Ronald L. Dietz and they observed their 56th wedding anniversary in August of this year. She was a member of the Bethlehem United Methodist Church and St. Paul’s UCC both in Dallastown, and a former member of the Lititz Moravian Church. Rochelle let her light shine for both children and music. For over 38 years Rochelle was a kindergarten teacher for the Red Lion Area School District; previously she taught kindergarten in the Brownstown Elementary School. Known as a caring and thoughtful teacher, Rochelle was recognized in “Who’s Who Among American Teachers” and was a member of the N.E.A. and the P.S.E.A. Rochelle attended many area colleges over the years to help her obtain a bachelors degree in Elementary Education. She also earned a Bachelors’ Degree in music with a major in Voice at Westminster Choir College, in Princeton, N.J. While attending there she sang the soprano leads in the Princeton Savoyards. As a member of Westminster Concert Choir, she performed in Carnegie Hall under some of the leading conductors of the NY Philharmonic. During her music career she sang roles for the Lancaster Opera Workshop, York Symphony Chorus, Jubilate Singers, York Chamber Singers, and the Lebanon Valley Alumni Chorale among others. Over the years Rochelle conducted several community church choirs and handbell choirs. For 33 years she was the choir director for St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Dallastown; Rochelle directed the choir at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Dallastown for the next 13 years. She was a choir director in Hallam for a church and community choir and also the Dallastown Community Choir. Rochelle and her husband Ronald were known to sing duets in many churches throughout central Pennsylvania. During her retirement years Rochelle enjoyed attending theater productions, choral concerts, handbell festivals, traveling and spending time with family and friends. Throughout her life Rochelle adopted and loved animals of all kinds.

Surviving in addition to her husband Ronald, is a son, Christopher D. Dietz of Annapolis, MD., a brother, Barry L. husband of Marilyn Erb of Ephrata, a niece, Karen Erb, and two nephews: Benjamin and Douglas Erb. Preceding her in death is a daughter, Tracy S. Dietz.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Rochelle’s service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance at the Lititz Moravian Church, 8 Church Square, Lititz, on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 3:00 PM. Friends may visit with the family in the Eschbach Parlor at the church on Thursday afternoon from 2:00 PM until the time of the service. Interment will be in Lititz Moravian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent in Rochelle’s memory to SPCA of York County, 3159 Susquehanna Trail North, York, PA 17406.