Mary Dianne Bukoski

Dianne Bukoski, 85, died peacefully at her home surrounded by loved ones on November 20th, 2025.

Growing up in Rochester, NY, she attended St. Agnes High School and developed her lifelong love of dance and music. She received her undergraduate nursing degree from Nazareth College while working at Strong Memorial Hospital. While mentors there recommended she attend medical school, she knew from an early age that her dream was to become a nurse devoted to helping others in need. She eventually graduated from Catholic University’s Graduate School for Nursing where she met her loving husband of 57 years, Bill Bukoski. She achieved her dream by serving as a nurse with Veteran’s Affairs for over 30 years. During this time, she served on the Board of Directors and President of Nurse’s Association (District 9), as well as, won numerous awards including a National Partnership for Reinventing Government award to help the government run more efficiently. In her retirement years, she continued to help others through her work as a Chair of University Park’s Women’s Club Scholarship Award Committee. She worked with local area high schools to find deserving individuals and through the organization generously donated to help in their academic pursuits.

Devoted her life to faith, family, and friends, as well as, had a keen shopping sense to always find the best sales (especially at Macy’s). She was a mother of 4, grandmother of 6, Swim team Mom (known for her Stroke and Turn judge skills), dance teacher, birthing instructor, voracious reader, skilled piano player, Agatha Christie expert, and even starred in a public access TV commercial.

She made a huge impact on anyone she encountered, had a smile that would light up any room and will be greatly missed.

She was the daughter of William and Marion de Cocq and is survived by her husband, Bill; sons (Mike and Matt); daughters (Beth and Mary). Services will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fulton, MD on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.  Visitation will be from 10 - 11 AM, a funeral mass will be at 11 AM.  Following the funeral mass, there will be a brief reception from 12 - 1 PM.  All guests are welcome to meet at St. Louis Catholic Church Cemetery at 1:30 PM; there will not be a funeral procession.  

For those who can not attend the funeral mass in person and would like to watch the live-streaming of this service please click HERE at the scheduled time.

A fond memory of Dianne was how she prayed for passing ambulances. In her memory, we would like to share a personal prayer :

Mary, Health of the Sick,

Please lead this ambulance safely to its destination so all inside may receive essential care. May the first responders be guided by your helping hands and provide protection and compassionate support for those in need. Please grant caregivers clarity and wisdom in their critical care decisions and give them strength to persevere though stress and exhaustion. I pray those impacted and their loved ones have peace of mind and trust that their faith in God will lead them to safety.