Diane Marie Eberly

Diane Marie (Ponger) Eberly, 82, passed away peacefully in Danbury, Connecticut on October 1, 2026. She was born on November 3, 1943, in Greenwich, Connecticut, to William and Helen Ponger. She was the youngest of four sisters: Jane Insinga, Doris Benedict, and Helen Mitchell.

Diane lived in Greenwich for most of her life, where she met her husband, Bob Eberly Jr. Together, they built a life filled with laughter and love. They had two children, Grayson Eberly and Timothy Eberly and moved to Danbury in 1994.

She was a loving and supportive grandmother, affectionately known as "Nanny", to her grandchildren Lyric Eberly, Kuhlighjah Eberly, Rachel Jackson, El Jackson, and Tyler Eberly. She was a loving sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Diane was a creative and talented woman who was capable of creating beautiful clothing and décor. She was a master crocheter, and knitter, and made all sorts of treasured pieces for family members, friends, and anyone she cared for.

She loved music, singing along to musicals, British comedy, and murder mysteries. She was always using her mind, whether playing crossword puzzles or reading book after book. She loved drinking coffee from morning until night—and sometimes even a little too late! She loved cooking her pasta, and everything had to be extra spicy. She loved playing games with her grandchildren and treated each of them specially.

Diane adored animals and her pets throughout the years of her life and always went out of her way to help them.

Diane’s husband, Bob, passed away in 2016. She was a devoted wife in sickness and in health, caring for him and her entire family. Within weeks of Bob’s passing, she was diagnosed with stage 4 mantle cell lymphoma. Her whole family stepped forward to help care for and support her as she received a stem cell transplant, underwent chemotherapy, and battled seizures and hydrocephalus as a result of it.

She endured many serious ailments, but her headstrong personality proved to be a force to be reckoned with. She fought hard to be with her family as long as she could. By 2024, she had been battling dementia for over seven years but through it all, she maintained dignity and courage until the very end. She enjoyed being around her family and all the little, silly things that came along with daily life.

She was a firecracker. A one-of-a-kind woman, remarkable in every way. Anything that brought her joy—shoes, jewelry, opera music, food—she blissfully indulged in!

We are grateful now that Diane is no longer in pain or suffering. She has been reunited with her husband, Bob; her sisters, Jane and Doris; her parents and the friends and beloved pets who went before her.

We celebrate the life and legacy of Diane. She will be greatly missed by so many.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, October 16th from 4-7pm at Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 31 Arch St, Greenwich, CT 06830.