SALEM- Diane E. Bushner, Ed.D., age 56, of Salem, formerly of Somerville, an Associate Professor at Salem State College, died Wednesday morning, December 11, 2002 at her home following a long illness.
Born in Boston, she was the daughter of Helen A. (Andrew) Bushner of Salem and the late Eliot W. Bushner. She was a lifelong resident of Somerville until moving to Salem in 1998.
She was a graduate of Somerville High School in 1964 and received her BA in education from Lesley College in Cambridge in 1968. Attending classes at night, Dr. Bushner received her masters degree in education from Northeastern, a Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.G.S.) and her doctorate in education (Ed.D.) from Boston University.
Dr. Bushner began her career in education as a teacher with the Cambridge Public Schools. She continued as Assistant Director of Title I, and later Director of all Title I programs within the city. Moving on to Salem State College in 1993 as an Assistant Professor, she presently held the title of Associate Professor. She spent her summers directing the Reading Clinic for Children at the college and in 2000 coordinated the re-accreditation effort for Salem State.
She has written numerous articles, including her most recent publication, “The Image of Schools and Teachers in Recent American Fiction for Children and Adolescents,” in the 2001 Papers: Explorations into Children’s Literature. She was frequently a presenter at conferences, including those of the International Reading Association, the New England Reading Association, and the Massachusetts Reading Association. With a colleague, Dr. Bushner was awarded the 1996 International Reading Association Elva Knight Research Grant. She was also the recipient of the Massachusetts Reading Association 1995 Sylvia D. Brown Scholarship for her research study. She volunteered throughout New England for the Greater Boston Reading Council (GBC) and as past president of the Massachusetts Association of College and University Reading Educators (MACURE). This past October, she was awarded the Greater Boston Council of the International Reading Association “Celebrate Literacy Award” for 2003. Throughout her life, she has been instrumental in promoting literacy for all children. She was always seeking ways to help urban schools teach reading successfully in the elementary grades so all children learn to read and become readers for life. She was deeply committed to the children and truly made a difference.
Besides her mother, with whom she resided, Dr. Bushner is survived by several cousins.
Her funeral service will be held Monday, December 16, 2002 at 10 am at the Grace Church, 385 Essex St., Salem. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. Visiting hours are Sunday, 2 to 4 pm at the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common, Salem. Burial is in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Salem State College Foundation, 352 Lafayette St., Salem, MA 01970. For Guest book & directions, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.