Diane Wasser

Diane Esther [Grier] Wasser passed away on August 8, 2023, after a long and arduous battle with a serious illness. She had lived in Manchester for 44 years and was an active congregant at Beth Sholom B’nai Israel. She was born in Manhattan in 1949 and resided in Englewood New Jersey during her formative years.  At age 16 she enrolled at Douglas College of Rutgers University and went on to obtain a master’s degree in mathematical statistics. In addition to her aptitude for math she also had a love of languages, dance, and Israeli culture.

She met her husband, Jeff, in college and they married while he was in medical school. They moved to Manchester, Connecticut in 1979. Diane had taken time off from her work as an actuary to raise her three children, Joan Wasser Gish [Jason], Elliot Wasser, MD, and Naomi Mozer [Paul]. After more than a decade out of the work force, she studied for her actuarial exams and qualified as a Pension Actuary. She spent many years working at Hooker and Holcombe Actuarial Consulting in the greater Hartford area.

She and her family would often visit family in New Jersey, and she would be an excellent raconteur of stories from her childhood and her many hours of enjoyment at the beach in Rockaway, NY where she spent many summers as a child.

While in Manchester she became very active in the local synagogue, running numerous events, serving as advisor to the youth group, and an active member of the Sisterhood of the Synagogue. She was an excellent judge of character, firm in her beliefs and always willing to help those in need.

In her later years she cared for her elderly parents and shortly after their demise she became ill and fought a tenacious struggle. She was a true woman of valor, showing courage, strength and wisdom throughout her life.

Diane was predeceased by her parents, Nathaniel Grier PhD and Roslyn ( Levine) Grier; older brother Paul Grier PhD. She is survived her husband, Jeffrey Wasser MD, her three children Joan Wasser Gish and her husband Jason, son Elliot Wasser and daughter Naomi Mozer and her husband Paul; five grandchildren, Ellie Gish, Arielle Gish, Samson Mozer, Aliza Mozer and Abraham Mozer; and her older brother Eli Grier.

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