Evangelia “Diana” Artemis Maria Vasiliades Schaaff, 90, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2026, in Southport, North Carolina.  Born in Lakewood, N.J. on July 8, 1935, to Blanche and Angelo Vasiliades, Diana grew up in Long Branch, New Jersey, where her father owned the Homestead Pharmacy. In eighth grade, Diana met her beloved husband, Paul Schaaff, with whom she shared over 53 years of marriage until his passing in 2012.  Diana was a graduate of Long Branch High School (Class of 1953) and graduated cum laude from Bucknell University (Class of 1957), after which she began a career in elementary education. During those early years, she also supported Paul while he attended dental school, a partnership that defined their lifelong devotion to one another.

Returning to Monmouth County, Diana raised her family in Long Branch and West Long Branch. There, she built a life centered on family, friendship, and community. She formed a lifelong bond with her dear friend Gretchen DiCesare and devoted herself to teaching kindergarten in the West Long Branch public school system for many years. Her dedication to her students earned her recognition as Teacher of the Year.  As a result of her teaching career, Diana touched the lives of generations of children and families.

Though baptized in the Greek Orthodox Church, Diana was a longtime and devoted member of St. James’ Episcopal Church in Long Branch, where she served on the Vestry and was a Sunday school teacher. She was also a proud member of the Monmouth Beach Bath and Tennis Club, Navesink Country Club and The Clubs at St. James. With her husband Paul’s encouragement, Diana embraced tennis, golf, and even downhill skiing.

Diana is survived by her loving family: Her children, Julie and Paul Stubbs of Pearisburg, Virginia; Paul (Jr.) and Julie Schaaff of Southport, North Carolina; and Lesley Schaaff and Byron Brown of Silver Spring, Maryland. She was a cherished grandmother to B.A. and Karina Wegman-Schaaff; Aaron and Kelsey Stubbs; Jacob Stubbs; Luke Stubbs; and Elena Bamburg. She was also a proud great-grandmother to Wren Annabelle and Julian Ardis Wegman-Schaaff, with two additional Stubbs great-grandchildren on the way.

Diana is further survived by cousins, nieces, nephews, dear friends, and countless former students whose lives she shaped during her many years as an educator.

Diana’s grace and unwavering dedication to family and community will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

In lieu of traditional remembrances, the family asks for donations in Diana’s honor to the Bridge of Books Foundation at www.bridgeofbooksfoundation.org or the West Long Branch Foundation for Public Education.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 8^th from 10:00 AM-10:30 A.M. at St James’ Episcopal Church, 300 Broadway, Long Branch, followed by a funeral service at 10:30 AM. A private interment will follow at Woodbine Cemetery.