Diana (Spence) Schafer was simply full of life and lived it to the fullest—a shining light whose love of life was unparalleled; she passed away on June 9, 2023 in Philadelphia after a very courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by her doting husband and the love of her close family. Her passing leaves a profound void in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her, but her unwavering love of life will continue to inspire them to live their lives to the fullest. Diana was born to Jung Valentine and John Spence on December 14, 1977 in Hampton, Va. She moved to Gloucester, Va., in 1982, where she met her lifelong childhood friends, Kimmie, Ashley, and Angie.
Diana attended Randolph-Macon College before transferring and graduating from James Madison University in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. As a CPA, she spent her career leading and inspiring others at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)—where she met her best friend, true love, and soulmate, Charles “Chaz” Schafer. Although growing up in the small town of Gloucester, Diana loved adventure and simply having fun as her journey through life took her to San Diego (where she met her lifelong friends Rachel and Yvonne), Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Virginia Beach, and Miami, along with countless stops in Las Vegas every year to party with her dear friends. Her new home in Miami was her perfect place, sitting on her condo balcony, feeling the sun and breeze while enjoying the magnificent view of the water and city skyline. Diana loved spending time with her family and friends, traveling, the beach, reading, dogs, and of course, music—the biggest Dave Matthews Band fan since the early 1990s, traveling all over the country every year for the DMB concerts. Her “happy spot” was up close in “The Pitt” at the concerts, dancing and singing the night away. We can hear her singing her favorite song, #41 while knowing that Charles will always “Back Her Up.” Diana was simple, classy, and elegant, who always had a calm, kind presence, a timeless gentle soul, with the greatest sense of humor.
She was the most loving wife, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and best friend. Diana is survived by her husband, Charles, who doted on his bride; father, John, and stepmother, Connie Spence; her beautiful mother, Jung, and stepfather, Lawrence Valentine; siblings, Toi, Sean, John, and Colton; nephews, Auggie, Sam, Benjamin, Dominic, Angelo, Ryan, Dan; nieces, Cassady, Rachel, Emmalyn, Madison, Brielle; great-nieces, Fallyn, Stella, Cali, Ravyn, Delilah; great-nephew, Bentley; special cousin, Maya, and perhaps most of all, her truly beloved companion, her dog “daughter” Kai Lan, all of whom she adored. The family will receive friends Thursday, June 15, 2023, from 6-8 p.m. at Hogg Funeral Home, 3098 George Washington Memorial Highway, Hayes, Va. 23072, and Friday, June 16, 2023, from 9-10:45 a.m. A Celebration of Life service conducted by Pastor Art Wolz will begin at 11 o’clock Friday in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be private. At the request of her family, memorial contributions may be made to ROS1 Cancer Research Foundation: https://www.theros1ders.org; Foster Based Animal Rescue: https://wwwmiamianimalrescue.org.
Services under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home.