Sister Diana Lynn Eckel (formerly Sister M. Brian) died at Rosary Care Center in Sylvania, Ohio, on May 27, 2026, two days before her 81st birthday.
The daughter of Howard and Marguarite Eckel, she entered the Sylvania Franciscan congregation from St. Aloysius Parish in Bowling Green, Ohio, in 1959. She attended public school but met the Sisters who taught catechism in the parish. During a catechism class trip to visit the Motherhouse in Sylvania, she felt the call to religious life and entered after eighth grade. While in formation, she attended St. Clare Academy and Lourdes Junior College. In 1965, she made first profession of vows in the congregation and professed final vows in 1971. Preparing for ministry, Sister Diana earned a B.A. degree from the former Mary Manse College in Toledo, an M.A. in education and guidance and counseling from the University of Detroit, and principal certification from the University of Toledo.
Sister began her teaching career in elementary schools in Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, and Maryland. She served in the Toledo Diocesan School Office as a consultant to principals in both elementary and secondary schools, as well as a counselor for students. In 1980, Sister Diana Lynn served as principal of St. Joan of Arc School, a new parish and school where she, the pastor, parishioners, and teachers collaborated in the planning process from design to opening day and beyond. After just four years, she was called upon to help merge two parishes with schools in Rossford. She served as principal at the new All Saints Parish for 12 years following a challenging and successful merger process involving the pastor, parishioners, teachers, and students. Sister Diana Lynn loved being a principal, which allowed her to influence students, teachers, and staff, many of whom remember her as someone willing to listen, encourage, and help them be their best.
Sister Diana Lynn was later called to yet another ministry when she was elected to Congregational Leadership for the Sylvania Franciscans, first as part of the Leadership Team and then for two terms as Congregational Minister (Superior). She led the congregation through challenging times with courage, love, and deep compassion—a servant leader to the core.
After her leadership term ended, Sister served as Director of Mission Integration at St. Clare Commons in Perrysburg, where she ministered with great love and compassion until her “retirement” in 2021. In recent years, she embraced a Ministry of Presence and Prayer among the Sisters in Sylvania. She also enjoyed time with family members and friends and cherished memories of camping, family reunions, and travel—especially in Gaylord, Michigan, her favorite place on earth. Family and community were very important to her, and she mourned the loss of those who had gone before her. She still delighted in special moments with her siblings and was always up for a good meal, fun games, and a trip to Mr. G’s Barn for an ice cream treat.
Sister Diana Lynn celebrated her 60th Jubilee in 2025 and shared her wisdom with us: “As I reflect on my 60 years as a Sylvania Franciscan, I’m so aware of the many graced experiences and ministry opportunities God blessed my life with—as teacher, school counselor, principal, Congregational councilor and leader, and mission integrator. However, for me, it’s really not so much ‘what’ I’ve done, but the way God used me to touch hearts and impact lives on this Franciscan journey.”
This wonderful woman will be greatly missed by her Sisters in community, especially her housemates, Sister Julie and Sister Mary; her sisters, Darlene and Debbie; and her many family members, all of whom meant so much to her. Dear Diana, your beautiful smile, your loving eyes, your huge heart, your red hair, and your graciousness will be missed by all who knew and loved you. You will remain in our memories.
The Welcoming for Sister Diana Lynn will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel in Sylvania. The funeral Mass will take place on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel. The liturgy will be available by livestream here: https://video.ibm.com/channel/RvdadQRjbGk
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis, Sylvania, Ohio. Arrangements are by the Thomas I. Wisniewski Funeral Home, Toledo, Ohio.
