Diane L. Opper

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Diane L. Pupek Opper, 56, of Belchertown, Massachusetts, passed away tragically on Friday, March 27, 2026.

Diane was born on October 13, 1969, in Norwalk, Connecticut, the daughter of Chester Pupek and Claire Lysiak Pupek.

She was predeceased by her parents, as well as her sisters, Fran Pryor and Donna Pupek. Diane is survived by her sister, Shirley Hensley; her beloved niece, Denise Kelly; her beloved nephews, Alain and Scott Hensley; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Diane grew up in South Hadley, Massachusetts, where she formed many lifelong friendships. Known to many as "Di Di," she brought warmth, humor, and a little bit of magic wherever she went. She had a love for music from an early age and played the flute, piccolo, and oboe. She attended Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Marine Biology.

Diane dedicated her career to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, where she worked for 33 years as Chief of the Division of Operations & Support, with passion and purpose. She was looking forward to retiring this August and beginning her next chapter in her happy place, The Villages in Florida, a future she had thoughtfully planned and deeply anticipated. Diane loved the sun - the brighter and warmer, the better - and she carried that same brightness within her, along with a love for a little "sparkle."

Diane loved deeply - her family, her friends, and life itself. She went out of her way to make everyone around her truly feel valued and special. She believed in kismet and the idea that certain moments and connections were simply meant to be. She loved singing and dancing to '70s and '80s music, especially Ozzy Osbourne, and never turned down a great espresso martini. She also had a way of adding her own "zhuzh" to life, bringing energy, humor, and a little extra sparkle to everyday moments.

Diane had an extraordinary love for animals, both through her work and in her personal life. She believed every creature deserved compassion - even spiders were gently escorted outside. She had a special place in her heart for dogs, especially Rottweilers, and spent years rescuing and fostering many who needed a second chance.

She was a beautiful soul, inside and out, with a kind heart that touched everyone who knew her. Although taken from us too early she will be profoundly missed.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, April 13th from 4:00 pm-6:00pm followed by a Celebration of Life at 6:00pm at the Beers & Story South Hadley Funeral Home, 646 Newton Street, South Hadley,

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Diane's memory to causes close to her heart, including Massachusetts Rottweiler Rescue (https://donate.rescueme.org/rottweiler), The Monadnock Humane Society (https://monadnockhumanesociety.org/) or The Ding Darling Wildlife Society https://dingdarlingsociety.org/.