Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Jennifer “Dianne” Rose Marye Kerecman Savelli passed away on August 13th, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in 1952 to George Lawrence Kerecman and Marjorie Peterson Kerecman in Meadville, Pennsylvania, Dianne, as she was known to most, was able to brighten any room she entered and brought a soothing presence to all who knew her.
In 1979, Dianne, alongside her husband Guy Savelli, founded Savelli’s, a dance and martial arts studio located in Lake County. Under their direction, Savelli’s has been a second home to many for the past 45 years. Through her love of dance and passion for teaching, Dianne inspired many. Every student held a special place in her heart, and she was always thrilled to see Savelli’s alumni bring their children to the studio for lessons.
Dianne was preceded in death by her father George, mother Marj, brother Dave (Kathy), stepson Bradley (Beth), and husband Guy. She is survived by her brothers Richard (Nancy) and Dan (Dyanne), her new husband Larry, her children Jennifer (William), Juliette (Jason), Sarah (Kandee), Gaetano (Lisa), and Grant (Amanda), her grandchildren Dustin (Gabby), Josephine (Nick), Sophia, Mia, Gaetano, Eva, Lila, and Gabriel, as well as great-grandchildren Delaney, Avery, Luna, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The Savelli family will receive family and friends from 1:00 – 5:00 PM Saturday, August 24th, 2024 at Jeff Monreal Funeral Home, 1000 Mentor Ave., Painesville. A memorial service to celebrate Dianne’s life will follow at 5:00 PM Saturday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Dianne Savelli’s name to Project Hope for the Homeless, Lake County’s only homeless shelter, which benefited from proceeds from every Christmas concert produced by Dianne’s studio—a tradition her family will continue in her honor (please no flowers). Go to https://projecthopeforthehomeless.org/donate/
Loyal, brave, wise, and true, Dianne leaves behind a legacy of love and has touched countless lives with her warmth, kindness, and compassion. Her absence will be deeply felt by all who knew her.
Reader interactions
15 Replies to “Jennifer “Dianne” Savelli”
You will truly be missed. You were a very kind person. Your family is beautiful. The Dance studio was so much fun, and you did so much for you community. May you have peace in Heaven. God Bless!
Mrs Savelli was an extraordinary lady! My daughter, Brandi, danced with her for 15 years. Her love and legacy for the children and the community will live forever. I was truly blessed to have known her and her family. She will be deeply missed….. Now she’s an angel, dancing above us! Our prayers are with the Savelli family….🙏🙏🙏.
Rest in Peace dear cousin ❤️
The community has lost a legend, Diane Savelli. What an inspiration to so many. My heart aches for the family and people she has served. You will never be forgotten and your legency will live on through your family. My family is honored to have known and worked with you for so many years. ❤️❤️ Peace and love to the Savelli family. ❤️
I will never forget taking private tap lessons and theater dance with her. She was such a good teacher.
Diane was definitely one in a million. She was my dance teacher from 1980 to 1989 and then many years later, my daughter danced at her studio. When my daughter was struggling with a particular step and getting discouraged, Diane went over and stood next to her and helped her. She worked along side my girl, who was struggling. It shows how much she cared and how much she wanted everyone to succeed. She was encouraging, kind, and caring. She lit up a room when she walked in. She was simply incredibe. I am so very sorry for your loss. Prayers for you.
Wonderful memories dancing her choreography. Godspeed Diane 🙏
Sarah and family, wishing you strength and peace during this difficult time. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
The sadness hits me in waves. What a terrible loss.
Dianne was the most authentic person I’ve ever known. Her disposition was incredibly positive, she had such insight, was so spirited and funny. She knew exactly who she was.
I’m in Phoenix now so our time together these last five years was largely on the phone. The memories I have of sharing and crying and laughing together fill me with joy and appreciation, and sadness because I will miss Dianne so much…as SO many people will.
There was no one like Dianne. So strong, wise, genuine…beautiful in all ways. Her counsel was always truthful and spot on.
I will miss you for the rest of my days my dear friend. God bless and keep you.
My deepest condolences to Larry and to your devoted children and grandchildren.
We are sorry,Dick, for your loss of your sister. Dianne, and extend our condolences to your family. We remember that she was beginning her challenges to beat her illness even before Brooke and Kip’s wedding. It sounds like she was a very active and caring woman. We are sure many will miss her deeply.
Dianne was one of my dearest friends. I started out dancing in my early 20’s and we have been friends ever since. I danced in that little house across from Kirtland High with the big pole in the middle. We had fun in there. Her kids were little then and I watched them grow into wonderful people. She was truly inspirational and will be missed so much. We had many long conversations about our children and our lives and where we were headed. She is definitely in heaven with Guy and I am so glad she was blessed with Larry who helped her on this her last journey. Dianne I will miss you so much. Bless you and your wonderful family.
I still think of Dianne and am really sorry for your loss. I knew Dianne in the early 80’s when she choreographed OLMC’s musical. Following that, I studied tap and jazz with a group of young adult women. We had so much fun. I remember Dianne to be a fierce lover of her family. I also remember when a strange young man entered the studio during one of our classes. Dianne took a step back and assumed a martial arts ready position to defend herself. I, on the other hand, was leaning against the bar, not quite aware of the potential threat. As a young single woman at the time, that was a good lifelong lesson. Peace to you all.
I am so sorry for your loss. Diane was a wonderful person. She will be missed. I brought my daughter at 3 years old in Kirtland Now my granddaughters are there. The Christmas show was great and can’t believe she did her last dance❤️love and prayers to the Sevelli family. ❤️
Sorry, I meant the June show,she was absolutely wonderful ❤️
Diane was my very first jazz teacher at a wonderful dance school called Studio Theater. I was a “starstruck” little 9 year old in awe of my teachers beauty…..soft blond curls cascading down to frame her face and bottomless blue eyes. Her class was so fun and gave me the chance to loosen up a bit and have fun!
Later in life I had the opportunity to teach ballet at the Savelli Dance School. Although I never felt truly comfortable with my own teaching skills, Diane always found a way to make me feel good by encouraging me and paying compliments to my abilities.
I lost my own mother 35 years ago and am familiar with the unfathomable sense of loss and the profound sadness. My heart breaks for all of Diane’s children and those closest to her. She was an amazing and talented woman, but I’m sure it goes well beyond that for those who knew her intimately.
In sympathy,
Jennifer Rust Solnosky
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