Diane Evans

Vernon

Diane Evans Vernon passed away at the ripe old age of 98 on November 2, 2026 after a life well-lived.

Growing up in the small town of Wellston, Ohio, Diane always looked to expand her horizons, attending the Columbus School for Girls and then heading east to Swarthmore College where she met and soon married the love of her life, Robert Howard (Bob) Vernon. As newlyweds they lived on the third floor of a Bryn Mawr professor’s residence, washing their dishes in the bathtub while Diane worked in the Bryn Mawr College administration offices. They soon bought land and built a house in Ambler, PA where they raised their four children. Diane was always her children' s champion, defending and supporting them in their education in any way possible. She ultimately became a reading specialist, volunteering at the Matthews School before going on to earn her Masters degree from Beaver College (now Arcadia University). She was a co-founder and the first head of school of Wyncote Academy, an accredited high school for students with learning differences. As school head, she assembled a core of committed, innovative educators who developed unique and creative curricula to help the students thrive. Guided by Quaker principles, Diane saw the good in her own children and in the many students who came through Wyncote Academy’s doors. She had a steadfast faith and conviction that her children and her many students were gifted, talented and destined for success. Upon her retirement after more than 30 years at the helm, she kept a hand in helping with admissions a few days a week while also helping with office work at the family packaging business. Even when a stroke prevented her from driving, she simply took an Uber to get where she wanted to go, always bringing her standard brown-bag lunch of a Coke, half a peanut butter sandwich, an apple and a Reese’s peanut butter cup. She maintained a cheerful and positive view of the world, with nary a negative word about anyone.

Diane enjoyed spending time at Coxton Lake, where Bob’s parents had a cottage, and eventually where Diane and Bob bought their own piece of Lake heaven. When younger, she was involved in Lake Weekend activities, and was active in conserving land that served as a watershed to the lake. She was a long-suffering crew member ( or ballast) on Bob’s lake sailboat adventures and a courageous co-pilot when flying in Bob’s single-engine airplane. She was always his cheerleader. Diane was a long time member of Abington Meeting, serving for a time as clerk as well as teaching in the First Day School high school program and happily overseeing holiday performances in the meetinghouse and coordinating breakfasts in the short stable with Bob. She was active with the Ambler Symphony and enjoyed theater productions at the Act II Playhouse well into her nineties. She never met a crossword puzzle she didn’t like or a vegetable that she did. Each evening she would enjoy a glass of inexpensive Chardonnay, and always look for “something sweet” to finish her evening meal. 

Diane lost her husband Bob in 2002. She is survived by her four children, Deborah Vernon DiMicco (Bruce), R David Vernon (Tam), Melissa V Johanningsmeier, and John T Vernon (Jackie), as well as six grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

We invite you all to celebrate her life by lifting a glass of inexpensive Chardonnay and always hoping for “something sweet” at the end of each day. In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to make a donation, in Diane's honor, to Wyncote Academy, 7607 Old York Road, Wyncote, PA 19027. https://www.wyncoteacademy.org/giving

A Memorial Service in the manner of Friends for Diane  will begin at 1:00 PM on Friday, November 20, 2026, Abington Friends Meeting, 520 Meetinghouse Road Jenkintown, PA. A reception will follow in the John Barnes room.