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Diane M. Guarino
1931 - 2022
Diane M. Guarino
1931 - 2022
Obituary
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BORN
1931
DIED
2022
Diane Guarino Obituary
Guarino-Diane M. (nee Wanamaker) of Alden NY (formerly of Darien and Bennington), peacefully passed away in her sleep, joining her beloved husband in heaven, on November 2, 2022, at the age of 91. Diane was the wife of the late S. James Guarino and mother of James (Susan), Donna (Scott Gerould), Larry (Barbara), Daniel (Amanda) and Richard (Colette). She is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces.
Diane was predeceased by her parents George W. and Lillian Wanamaker, of Buffalo, and siblings Helen (Gaiser), Richard, Virginia (Gnann), Elaine (Curry), and Robert. Also preceding her in death were great grandchildren James, Daniel, and Madeline Arthur, of Katy TX.
Diane drove school buses for Alden Central School District for over 25 years. For many of those years Diane was the driver of the morning run to St. Mary’s HS in Lancaster. This run was the 1st out of the garage, initially in Bus# 36, a 5 speed Brockway, departing a little after 6am, and often on unplowed roads. On snowy days, Diane was radioed to report road conditions to see if school should be closed that day. If it was, she had to safely turn around and take everyone back home. After retiring, she volunteered for Alden’s Meals on Wheels for 27 years.
A lover of pets, Diane was given her first dog at the age of 12 to keep her company during Buffalo’s air raid blackouts during WWII. Her love of horses led Diane to her husband Jim, and then to their move from Buffalo to the “country” (their first farm in Darien in 1954), and then to their farm on North Road, Alden, in 1966. In 1992, after passing the farm to the next generation, they moved to Bennington. Following Jim’s death in 2012, she moved to her final residence in the Village of Alden.
Diane was in independent women who loved and enjoyed life. Anyone who walked through her door was treated as family, and invited to a meal.
While she and Jim were not wealthy in money, they always were able to provide their children with an abundance love and encouragement to follow their dreams.
The Mass of Christian Burial that was scheduled for Saturday, November 19, 2022 at St John the Baptist RC Church, Sandridge Rd, Alden NY has been cancelled due to weather and is rescheduled for Saturday, April 29th at 10 AM. Friends are encouraged to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alden’s Meals on Wheels or St. John the Baptist Church.
Arrangements by Charles Meyers Funeral Home. Tributes may be left at meyerfuneralhome.com
Elaine Allen
May 2, 2023
This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24) For everyone here today it is hard to rejoice but with faith we will. We can rejoice that Diane is home and enjoying the new place that Jesus prepared for her.she is with her loving husband Jim as well as three little angels Madeline, Daniel and James.
Along with being the wonderful person Diane was she held a few other titles. As a food enthusiast she was happy with any menu as long as it wasn’t liver.
Anything chocolate was her favorite, after doing PT exercises with her I would say “OK how about a piece of chocolate”....she would respond that her mother always told her that if she ate chocolate before lunch she would get wormsbut then she would smile and we would both enjoy a piece, neither of us got worms.
Her second most favorite was potato chips and french onion dip, she figured this combination went with anything, or by itself as a snack.
As I listened to many of Diane’s stories I learned that she had a title of being a bit of a rebel growing up.
She would defy her mothers directions of not swimming out to far at the lakehowever in her own words the further she went the better.
Diane was a computer expert.she knew how to work those keys just fine and to her benefit of knowledge.
Rich would receive a few phone calls with “RICH WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO MAKE ME HIGH” this was regarding a new medication.
Diane was a see it my way philosopher.and she definitely had an answer for everything and she preferred it if you could see it her way.
many remember.it’s not Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday regarding a showerno exceptionsforgive me for when I said wasTuesday when it really was Wednesday
Diane could be sharped tonguednot in a loud voice but distinct this occurred when she wasn’t seeing a situation her way and she would respond “YOU’RE FIRED”
Then there was her often said comment directed to me “AND YOUR BROTHER SCOTT..HE HAD TO MOVE MY ONLY DAUGHTER ALL THE WAY TO TEXAS”.
Diane loved visits from all, especially the little ones and her out of state children. She was especially happy when EVERYONE came to celebrate her 90th birthday. It was such a nice day.
Diane loved birds, could identify all of them and would watch them for hours. Her last summer in her apartment she would sit out on her patio enjoying the birds, nature and as she would say God’s air.
On a warm sunny day last fall her family took her out fishing for the day, oh how she enjoyed that, especially watching little Bently catch a few.
I had the privilege and joy of being Diane’s caregiver for almost three years. We had our days in the beginning developing trust and comfort but we did get to that point. She was ALWAYS grateful for my help and ALWAYS said thank you when I would leave. I’ve taken care of many people over the years, Diane was by far one of my favorites and she will always hold a special spot in my heart. I’m so glad my path in life crossed hers.
When any of you here today think of her as you willdon’t be sadthink of the wonderful memories you have and smile—never let those memories leave your heart
Cecily Lehman
November 21, 2022
My condolences go out to you and your family. Mrs Giarino What is a lovely person.
Alan Gnann
November 17, 2022
My deepest condolences to my cousins, Jim, Larry, Donna, Dan, and my Godson Richard whom I just visited just several days after my Aunt Diane passed. My trip to Alden on 11/5 was previously scheduled to visit Aunt Diane, Richard, and Collette. So sad that I had not planned to make the trip from CT just a week sooner. I have many fond memories of great times spent on the Darien Center farm each summer, learning how to handle horses, and how to work the fields. We enjoyed time together in WNY and also here in CT. Diane will be forever deeply missed by me and all those who loved her.
camille uschold
November 16, 2022
love you aunt diane..love cami
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Mary Erickson
November 14, 2022
Jim, Sue and family, we are sending you our deepest wishes of sympathy on the loss of your Mom.
Paul Vanderwarker
November 13, 2022
A fine lady and good friend of my mother. Memories of horseback riding with her husband Jim in the state park. Never an unkind word for anyone.
Judi Wojcik Alden State Bank, retired
November 6, 2022
Richard and family, May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Carolyn Batcho
November 5, 2022
I had the pleasure of meeting Diane at Greenfields. She was my mothers (JoJo)roommate. She was always so welcoming. Just a please to be around. It’s so heartbreaking that they both passed away within a week of each other. Rest In peace Diane.
Karen Stachura
November 4, 2022
She was a wonderful woman and raised a wonderful family. Stay together in memory of all she did. Love Karen and Paul stachura
Joan Heineman-Fix
November 4, 2022
Many happy memories of time spent with Diane and her family when we all lived on North Rd.
Jim Guarino
November 4, 2022
Thoughts of Mom: Phones (every room), gadgets, church, animals, birds, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, momma bear, Everyone's mother, hay (She felt that it went all summer: "I can't go mom, hay to do"), Velcro, neutering (every non-human male on the property), 1958 IH Travelall (My father when he bought it: "No Diane, it's big, but it is not a hearse"), St. Marys bus run, friends, "Club", family, televisions (every room), "All My Children" soap, her sisters (she was the calm peacemaker), horses, Cub Scouts (She always said that she earned our "arrow points"), Chocolate anything, fishing, swimming lessons (we all know how to swim), dogs.
Janet Boatman
November 4, 2022
So very sorry to hear Diane passed away. I worked with her at the bus garage. In fact I took over Diane’s run to St Mary’s run when Diane retired. She was a wonderful person. God bless
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13228 Broadway, Alden, NY 14004
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