We all know of Diana’s love for animals and her willingness to help friends. We very unexpectedly found a bat in our house on a Sunday night and panicked a little. We called Diana who was not only gracious offering help, but also made sure we took proper care of the bat! She talked us through catching him in a container and how to check if he was behaving normally. She saved us from overreacting and the bat was safely returned to the wild.

Jen Buccigrossi

I knew Diana was intelligent and extremely quick-witted, but was still blown away by her knowledge and innovation when we met her and George for lunch once.

They were picking up an owl that was a rescue and intended to be an ambassador, so they came to our area. We got a quick peek at the owl and went in for lunch. We were blown away by her knowledge. I had no idea how complicated formula for baby animals could be. I mean, kitten chow was about my extent of baby animal knowledge.

Discussion of what countries have the best and the downsides of others you can get showcased her amazing knowledge. The way she relayed the information to us without making us feel like we were lesser was another of her amazing gifts. It was a fun conversation while we were learning so much.

The real surprise, though, was when she had to step out for a bit. It really proved her dedication and innovation. She was caring for baby squirrels and could not leave them behind. So she rigged up an incubator to keep them safe during the trip, allowing them to come along and be fed as needed safely. She was an innovator, a person who cared for both animals and people, as well as MacGyver and I am blessed to have called her a friend.

Carrie

Diana was a great mentor, veterinarian, educator, and friend to anyone who had the pleasure of meeting her. She always had such a calming presence, not only with the people she surrounded herself with, but with the thousands of animals that were fortunate to have been in her care and passed through the doors of the wildlife hospital.

I have many fond memories of spending late nights at the wildlife hospital with Diana helping to feed all the bats and infants in care, making sure that no individual animal would miss a meal overnight. Diana had the patience of Job and the kindest heart of all. I cannot think of a time when she muttered any unkind words about another person or had any complaints that went much above her normal low, whispering tone of voice. Even when she had barely slept, she somehow found the energy to take care of the needs of the animals and the people around her..there must have been something in the Dr. Pepper that was always by her side.

I will forever be grateful for the friendship I shared with Diana-the late nights, the OWRA conferences where she would sweep all the raffle prizes, the home vet visits, the various social outings (mainly in the winter) when we could drag her away from the next animal feeding, and all the sage advice she left with me to help with the next wildlife patient. I consider myself one of the lucky ones to have been able to call Diana a friend, and I definitely hope to honor her memory in continuing to support wildlife and others in a way that would represent her well.

Kristi K

I volunteered on Tuesdays for a while and enjoyed working with Diana. She was so kind and her Animal Care was fantastic. She taught me so many things. We shared that love of squirrels. I went out in the rain at night to pick up baby squirrels because she said she would take them. She couldn’t go get them because she was caring for too many herself but she took more. I would reach out to her once in a while if I had a question about Animal Care and she was always so willing to help.. I was always so happy to see her and I will miss her so. What a big loss for animals that need help.

Suzanne Steger, OWC Volunteer

Diana was such a wonderful, generous, creative collaborator. I had the pleasure of participating in several GISH scavenger hunts with her and George as well as working together on many fun race costumes for George. Her ideas just sparkled and her creativity and resourcefulness were a gift to us all.

Corinna