Obituary of Diana Freeble Ney, R.N., C.R.N.P.

Barbara Diana Freeble Ney, R.N., C.R.N.P., Ph.D. passed away peacefully at home on September 21, 2018. A longtime resident of Upper St. Clair, Diana was the daughter of the late Charles R., and Ruby A. Malone Freeble. She was preceded in death by her brother Charles R. (Grace) and her loving husband Eugene C. Ney, M.D. of sixty-four years. She is survived by her brother, Jerry Freeble (Bernice) and sister, Ruby Smith. Mother of Eugene C., Barbara A., and John K (Amy). Diana is also survived by five loving grandchildren, and a great grandson. Born September 10, 1925 in Beaver County., Diana grew up in Leetsdale. She was enrolled in the accelerated program at Leetsdale High School, and was accepted into the University of Pittsburgh’s honors program following her junior year at Leetsdale. At Pitt, she majored in nursing and pledged the Delta Zeta sorority. She enlisted in the Army Nurse Cadet Reserves, during World War II, and attained the rank of Second Lieutenant. Her first job as a nurse was at Municipal Hospital, where she had the opportunity to work in the presence of Dr. Jonas Salk. Following her wedding, she went on to pursue graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Diana held positions of leadership in nursing at various hospitals in Buffalo, N.Y., and Kansas City, and helped to design tests for the American Nurses Association. Upon returning to Pittsburgh, Diana was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Pittsburgh. She started the nursing program at the Community College of Allegheny County, and then went on to start the nursing department at Slippery Rock University; where she taught for many years and was granted professor emeriti status upon retirement. She was also one of the first gerontological nurse practitioners in Pennsylvania, and practiced at Orchard Manor in Grove City. She maintained both her nursing and nurse practitioner licenses until death. Diana was a member of the Col. William Wallace Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for over seventy years, was very interested in genealogy, enjoyed casinos and was an avid fan of Judge Judy and the Pawn Stars. She was also a long- time member of Bellefield Presbyterian Church. Services will be private. Interment will be at Unity Cemetery in Derry. Arrangements entrusted to the Warchol Funeral Home Inc., Bridgeville (412.221.3333).