Diane Okrent, Longtime UES Resident and Leader of Synagogue, Passes
Okrent was the founder of DO Research and earlier was director of program analysis for the CBS Television Broadcast Group, where she met her future husband, Aaron Shelden. She was was the only person in Congregation Or Zarua’s 36-year history to serve two terms as president.
| 18 Aug 2026 | 02:06
Diane Orkent was married to Aaron Sheldon for 41 years. She passed on July 5. She was a long time UES resident, a business leader and two time president of the Congregation Or Zarua. (
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Diane Okrent, a longtime Upper East Side resident, business owner and two-time president of Congregation Or Zarua, died July 5 from complications of ovarian cancer. She remained active in her leadership roles despite her illness.
Okrent is survived by her husband of 41 years, Aaron Shelden; her son, Victor Benjamin Shelden; daughter-in-law Emily Nhaissi; two granddaughters; brothers Daniel Okrent and Russell Okrent, their wives, Pauline and Susan, and nieces Rachel and Rebecca.
Okrent was the only person in Congregation Or Zarua’s 36-year history to serve two terms as president, leading the synagogue for a total of six years. Her first presidency coincided with the retirement of founding Rabbi Harlan J. Wechsler and the search that resulted in the selection of Rabbi Scott N. Bolton in 2012. Her second term came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she guided the congregation through unprecedented challenges.
She and her husband joined Or Zarua shortly after the congregation was founded in 1989, when they were seeking a synagogue for their young family. After speaking with Rabbi Wechsler, she told her husband, “I found our congregation.” Over the decades, she remained deeply committed to its growth and community.
Rabbi Scott N. Bolton said, “Diane was dedicated to her family, her community, Judaism and God’s good world. Her passion for storytelling rivaled the stories’ truths and humanness they always contained.”
Current congregation president Hannah Kranich remembered Okrent as “generous with her time, her wisdom, and her laughter,” adding that she “had a gift for making people feel valued.” Founding president Mimi Alperin praised her optimism, while fellow congregant Dr. Barry S. Coller said people followed Okrent because of “who you are and what you stand for.”
Professionally, Okrent was president of DO Research, her qualitative research company, where she moderated focus groups and conducted one-on-one interviews for corporate clients. Earlier, she served as director of program analysis for the CBS Television Broadcast Group and co-authored a long-running study tracking the careers of Smith College alumni. Debbie Burke, her Smith College classmate and business partner, recalled their nearly 30-year collaboration and enduring friendship.
Okrent met Shelden in 1981 while both worked at CBS Television. They married in 1983 and made their home on the Upper East Side, where they enjoyed walks along the East River Esplanade, cooking at home and dining at neighborhood favorites. Friends often remarked on the affection they shared.
Before her death, Okrent asked that a message be shared with her professional colleagues: “After 35 years in business, DO Research has closed its proverbial doors. It has been the pleasure of a lifetime to do this work, to learn new things and craft stories from the information collected. Without you, this would not have been possible. Over and out, Diane.”
One month before her death, she and her husband celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary together.
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