Dianna Cornell

As we lay sleeping on December 22, 2025, we dreamed we were holding you in our arms, but when we awoke, dear, we were mistaken—so we bowed our heads and cried. Dianna Macri Cornell lived her 87 years of life through song and laughter. Like her favorite song, You Are My Sunshine, Dianna lit up every room with her laughter, wit, feistiness, and love for life.

Dianna was a bright and steady light that warmed every heart she touched. She loved to tell jokes, play pranks, and dance around the house while raising her family, whom she loved fiercely. Many times, you would walk into her home and surprise her as she sang and danced to her record player, lost in the music that carried her to a special place. Music was her joy, and she sang into her final days.

Dianna’s skies were gray when she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 51 years, James Cornell, and her sons John Hagg and Christopher (Tina) Jarvis. She was the final matriarch of her large Italian family, which spanned five living generations until her passing. 

She is survived by her daughters Ann Marie (Bob) Martin and Gina (Joe) Filicia; grandchildren Bobby (Rosa) Martin, Amy (Mark) Pemberton, Johann (Stacey) Hagg, Angelica (George) Martin, Christina (Crystal) Filicia, and Justin Filica; 16 great-grandchildren and 25 great-great-grandchildren, with another on the way; as well as two special daughters she held close to her heart, Pam (Roc) Basi and Verna Millward.

The family is grateful to Central Park Rehab, where Dianna spent her final years and once worked when it was Vivian Teall Howard Rehab, building a special family and home away from home.

Though clouds have gathered and the world feels dimmer without her, Dianna’s light will never fade. Dianna will continue to live on in each of us every time we feel the sunshine—because she is now our sunshine! Her light shines on in the memories we cherish and the love she gave so freely.

Calling hours are Monday, January 5, 2026 from 4-7pm at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 705 N. Main St, North Syracuse, NY, 13212 with funeral services to follow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to In My Father’s Kitchen, 501 Hawley Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13202.

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