Diana Morrison

Diana Morrison

Chapel Hill

Diana Morrison peacefully slipped away in her home at The Pines, Carolina Meadows, Chapel Hill. She had spent the last 33 years of her life in Chapel Hill, first in Kirkwood and then moving to Carolina Meadows 18 years ago.

Diana Selma Edelstein was born in New York City to Belle and Michael Edelstein and grew up in the Bronx. After marrying Lieutenant Bernard J. Birnbaum in 1943, she moved to San Antonio, Texas returning to Manhattan where their first child, David, was born at the end of WWII. They lived in a large apartment with parents, grandmother Henrietta Myers, brother Andrew and sister Lenore, and second son Gary joined the family in 1949. Diana, Bernie, David, and Gary moved to Queens in 1951.

Although Diana had worked as graphic designer, she became a full-time homemaker, raising her sons, being a wonderful daughter, sister, and aunt to her many nieces and nephews. After Bernie died in 1970, she returned to her art, taking classes at the Art Institute and actively working with seniors in art classes. She began to do etchings on copper plates, and developed amazing skill in etchings and monoprints, using her own press. She also painted in oils and watercolors. She was an extremely talented artist in various media.

She always loved to travel, and on one of her trips she met James Morrison of Baltimore. An experienced high school teacher, Jim and Diana married a year later in 1977. After he retired and moved to Queens, they extensively traveled in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia. They moved to Long Island in 1981, but 4 years later came to Chapel Hill to be closer to their son David and his family. They rapidly adjusted to their new environment, getting involved with various groups and programs. And 15 years later, they moved to a villa in Carolina Meadows. Jim Morrison passed away in 2010.

Diana leaves her son David and Linda Birnbaum of Chapel Hill, grandchildren Bernie Birnbaum and his wife Rachel Feldman of Fort Collins, Colorado, Holly Birnbaum Martin of Durham, and Lisa Birnbaum of Brooklyn, NY, as well as 3 great grandchildren – Matan and Ariel Birnbaum of Colorado, and Diana Martin of Durham. She also leaves her son Gary Birnbaum and partner Jeff Himmel of Mill Valley California, and grandsons Nathan Birnbaum and his wife Orli Florsheim of Irvine, CA and son Jonah Birnbaum of Santa Monica, CA. She was preceeded in death by her brother and sister.

The funeral will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, January 11, 2019 at Judea Reform Cemetery in Chapel Hill, followed by a meal of consolation at the home of David and Linda Birnbaum, 726 Shady Lawn Ct. Shiva will be held at the Birnbaum home at 7 PM on Saturday and Sunday. The family requests that contributions in her memory be made to Judea Reform's Art and Acquistions Fund or to a charity of your choice.