Hornell, NY  /  Alfred Station

Marie A. Diestler – 78 – of Pleasant Valley Road, Alfred Station, formerly of Elm St., Hornell, died unexpectedly early Monday morning (March 17, 2025) at Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville, NY.

Born in Hornell on May 19, 1946, she was the daughter of Michael & Helen (Fedor) Bigger.

Marie grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of St. Ann’s School and later graduated from Hornell High School (class of 1964).  She then moved to Rochester where she attended college.

In 1970, Marie moved to Japan where she lived for 2 years.  When she returned to Hornell, she moved into her home on Elm St., where she resided for over 50 years.  Recently she moved to Alfred Station so she could be closer to her grandchildren.

For several years Marie was employed at the former Bethesda Community Hospital and later went to work for Dr. Alan Folsom.  When Dr. Folsom retired, she went to work for Dr. Redding and then Dr. John Weyand where she served as office manager until her retirement in 2014.  Marie really loved being around people and had a way making you feel as though you had always been friends.

She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church where she served as Eucharistic Minister for many years.  Marie had a very strong faith and found much comfort in the church.  She spent a lot of time at the cemetery taking care of the graves of her loved ones.

Marie absolutely loved to cook.  She was famous for her homemade sauce and her stuffed rigatoni.  IF SHE EVER MADE THESE FOR YOU, THEN YOU KNOW!!   People often made request for her cooking at graduation parties, tailgate parties, holidays and birthday parties.  Marie especially enjoyed teaching her grandchildren her family recipes and traditions.  Everyone would take part in getting ready for the holidays and special occasions.

Having a love and talent for sewing and knitting, Marie would spend many months knitting scarves so she could have enough to donate.  She was very handy with her sewing machine.   She loved crafting.  She was very creative.  For almost every holiday, she made a homemade card for each of her grandchildren which they will always cherish.  In addition, she always had crafts and activities for her grandchildren.

Most importantly, Marie loved being with her grandchildren.  She had a very special bond with each and they were all very close.  She spent a lot of time with them and recently moved next door to them.  She loved the unexpected visits of them just popping over to see her or request some of her cooking.  Marie’s grandchildren were lucky enough to have her as the one and only person to babysit them as they were growing up.  People often told her son & his wife they “didn’t really know what it was like to be parents because they always had Marie around.”  Marie had the biggest heart and will be deeply missed!!

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her infant son, Michael Diestler (died 1968); her grandson, Benjamin Diestler (died 2007); 2 brothers, Michael Bigger and Stephen Bigger.

Surviving are her son, Andrew “Andy” (Billie Jean) Diestler of Alfred Station; 3 grandchildren, Andrew, Kaitlyn & Teagan Diestler; along with her nephew, Stephen (Michele) Bigger of Alpine, WY.

At Marie’s request there will be no calling hours.   A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 1:00 PM at St. Ann’s Church with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.

Marie’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to either Our Lady of the Valley Parish, 27 Erie Ave., Hornell, NY  14843 or to Golisano’s Children’s Hospital (NICU) at Strong Memorial Hospital, 601 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, NY 14642.

To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com.