Diana C. Simulcik

Diana Cecilia Simulcik (née Pace), a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, educator, animal lover, world traveler, and treasured member of the North Babylon community, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on November 19, 2025, just a few days shy of her 75th birthday.

Born in the Bronx to immigrant parents from Calabria, Italy, Diana carried her heritage with pride and lived a life rooted in love, service, and learning. For more than forty years, she made her home in North Babylon, New York, where she dedicated herself wholeheartedly to her family, her students, and her community.

Diana is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Garrett P. Simulcik, Sr., with whom she shared a lifetime of devotion and partnership. They were looking forward to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in June 2026.

She is also survived by her sons:

Garrett P. Simulcik Jr. of Jersey City, NJ

John Simulcik and daughter-in-law Katherine Simulcik of Midland, North Carolina

Her beloved grandchildren: Victoria, Steven, Nicholas, and Anthony, who brought endless joy to her life

And her treasured great-granddaughter: Mia

Diana is also survived by her four cherished cats, who were constant companions and a source of comfort and joy, and her sister Theresa DeMarco, brother Frank Pace and sister Lydia Antonetz.

A passionate lifelong learner, Diana earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from St. John’s University, followed by a second master’s degree from the College of New Rochelle.

She devoted nearly 30 years to teaching in the North Babylon School District, profoundly impacting countless students with her warmth, dedication, and encouragement. She also founded the North Babylon High School chapter of the Model United Nations, inspiring generations of students to explore global issues and develop leadership skills.

Diana later served as principal of North Babylon’s evening alternative school and spent many years privately tutoring students, offering patient guidance and heartfelt support. To her, students and colleagues were family, treated with the same love and care as her own.

Diana proudly founded the popular “Go Fly a Kite Over Babylon” festival, bringing joy and creativity to the community. She was an avid traveler, exploring approximately 50 countries across five continents, including a recent journey to Antarctica.

She loved the arts, including museums, galleries, the Metropolitan Opera, Broadway shows, and stand-up comedy. A lifelong animal lover, Diana adopted and cared for many cats, welcoming stray and neighborhood cats to her home with food, shelter, and kindness.

In retirement, Diana pursued a long-held dream of acting, appearing as an extra in numerous movies and television shows, including This Is Us, Billions, Succession, And Just Like That…, New Amsterdam, and Mr. & Mrs. Smith, delighting in the excitement of the set and the joy of performance.

Diana will be remembered for her generous spirit, boundless warmth, and the love she poured into every person and every endeavor. Her legacy lives on in the family she adored, the students she nurtured, and the community she enriched.

She will be profoundly missed and forever loved.

Visitation and Funeral Services

Viewing:
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Mangano Funeral Parlor
1701 Deer Park Avenue, Deer Park, NY 11729
Hours: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Funeral Mass:
Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at 11:15 a.m.
Ss. Cyril and Methodius Roman Catholic Church
1750 Deer Park Avenue, Deer Park, NY 11729

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests that donations be made in Diana’s name to:

• Broome County Animal Sanctuary: https://www.broomeanimalsanctuary.com/donate

• Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance: https://ocrahope.org/

• Babylon Animal Shelter: 80 New Highway, Amityville, NY 11702 - monetary donations must be made in person; pet supplies may be purchased through Chewy at: https://www.chewy.com/g/town-of-babylon-animal-shelter_b71606822#wish-list&wishlistsortby=DEFAULT