Diana Lee Bensch

Diana Lee Bensch, daughter of Buddie Junior and Dorothy Lee (Dinan) Hunnell, was born October 19, 1948, in Monett, MO. She departed this life on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at the age of 73 years in her home in Fort Smith, AR, surrounded by her family.

She spent her early childhood years in Monett, MO. Her family then moved to Oklahoma where she attended Moore high school and graduated in 1966. She met the love of her life, Leonard Ernest Bensch, and they married on March 25, 1967, in Seiling, OK at the First United Methodist Church. They made their home in Stillwater, OK, where Leonard was attending Oklahoma State University. Diana worked at the University and later attended OSU and studied interior design. Two children were born to this marriage, Cristy Lynn and Alicia Diane.

The family moved to Glen Cove, NY, in 1979 where they stayed until 2005. Diana used her interior design skills and was well known for her beautifully decorated homes, always giving family and friends a cozy place to gather and a porch to sit on. She loved her entire family and frequently returned to Oklahoma and Missouri to spend time with family members.

She was an incredible mother and grand-mother, a wonderful cook, and a loving spouse. Diana’s favorite things in life were spending time with her family and friends, her dogs, shopping, Sonic Route 44s, gardening, attending sporting events, sweet foods, Disney World, antiques, and traveling -- both to exotic places or just camping and sitting around a warm fire. Later in life, she and Leonard spent the winters in their Florida home and summers in Fort Smith.

She is survived by her husband, Leonard, of Fort Smith; two daughters- Cristy Capocelli and husband Tony of Fort Smith, and Alicia Alberg and husband John of Seattle, WA; seven grandchildren- Bryce Capocelli and wife Evelyn, Cody Capocelli and wife Noeal, Devon Capocelli, Ethan Capocelli, Faith Capocelli, Ian Alberg, Abigail Alberg; two great grandchildren- Nikolai and Luca Capocelli. She is also survived by her brothers Greg and Monty Hunnell, sisters Sherri Thompson and Tena Jones, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other beloved family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, and sister Kimberly Madden.

Graveside service will be at Brumfield Cemetery in Seiling, OK, on Thursday, July 14, 2022, officiated by Pastor Shane Sander. Reception to follow at 11:00 A.M. at the First United Methodist Church.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 4:00pm in the Collection Room at the Bakery District, 70 S. 7th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901.

Memorial donations in Diana’s honor can be made to the American Cancer Society at https://www.cancer.org/.