Diane Jaeger Pittman

Diane Jaeger Pittman August 7, 1951 - June 23, 2023 Diane Jaeger Pittman, 71, resident of Lake of the Woods, Locust Grove, Virginia, passed away in UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center surrounded by family after 38 years as a breast cancer survivor. Diane is remembered by her family in Virginia; devoted husband of 49 years, Andrew “Andy” Willis Pittman, her daughter Erica, son-in-law Joshua and granddaughter Sonja Harrison, of Reston, and daughter Elizabeth “Lizzi” Pittman, of Arlington as well as her sisters, Susan Marshall (John), Cathy Daum, Ellen Feer (Dan), a large, loving extended family and dear friends. Diane was predeceased by her mother June Muschalik Jaeger (d.2021), her father Alfred L. "Buddy" Jaeger (d.1979), her sister Jody Claire Raskind (d.2014), and her brother Paul Harry Jaeger (d.2005). Diane showed impressive resilience and optimism throughout her battle with cancer, her philosophy on being a cancer survivor was thorough. “Stay cool. Do not stop being you, and remember you are a survivor from the time of your diagnosis because that is the first step of the healing process.” She had a brilliant mind and exuded decorum and graciousness. Diane was a reputable high-scoring Scrabble player, was outgoing, lively, and engaged. She was an enthusiastic cook who loved to teach and share her culinary endeavors. Diane said, “Creating in the kitchen kept her mojo going even on her toughest days.” She will be greatly missed by all. Diane was born in 1951 in Bayonne, New Jersey, and grew up in Falls Church, Virginia. She graduated from George C. Marshall High School and attended Virginia Tech, then known as Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. There she earned dual Bachelor's degrees in Architecture and English with a minor in History. Diane and Andy were married on June 22, 1974, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Vienna, Virginia. Theirs was the first wedding after construction was completed on the new and much larger sanctuary. Throughout her life she was a devoted Catholic and her Requiem Mass will also be held at Our Lady of Good Counsel on August 9, 2023, followed by inurnment at National Memorial Park in Falls Church. Throughout her lengthy professional career of 35 years, Diane was a conscientious and diligent architect. She maintained active memberships in several professional associations: the American Institute of Architects, the Construction Specifications Institute, and Women in Architecture. She took pride in her work that ranged from private residences to commercial development, to large public facilities at numerous multi-disciplinary design firms. She started her career in Colorado with Skidmore Owings & Merrill, where her first commercial project was for the United Bank of Denver. She, Andy, and their then-young family moved back to Virginia in 1985. As a working mother of two, she was a Construction Contract Administrator with Jacobs Engineering (formerly Sverdrup) and became Lead Construction Contract Administrator at Cannon Design. Diane achieved career mobility as an associate at HKS where she helped revitalize urban areas with vision and purpose in the creation of the world-class Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. This LEED gold-certified building, and the creation of the freestanding emergency department of the Christiana Care Campus in Middletown, Delaware were the culmination of a conscientious and rewarding career. As a registered architect in Colorado, Virginia, and Maryland, a Certified Construction Specifier, and a U.S. Green Building Council LEED Accredited Professional, Diane was meticulous in her specifications. She loved and appreciated challenging projects, and was always willing to delve into the details of best practices. During her retirement, Diane enjoyed participating in many public service and outreach programs that focused on strengthening the community. She involved herself in numerous volunteer roles including work as the Architect & Program Manager at Culpeper Veterans Associates, LLC, as a catechism instructor in the Religious Education Program at Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Fredericksburg, Virginia, and as Association Treasurer in The Lake of the Woods Lioness-Lions Club for 3 years. Diane advocated for breast cancer awareness and most recently participated as a model in the 2018 “Runway to the Cure” to help raise funds for breast cancer research. She was a lifelong fitness enthusiast and continued to maintain her health through yoga and strength training classes and joined the Lake of the Woods Fitness Committee in 2019. In Lake of the Woods, she also played bridge, mahjong, and pickleball. It was her custom to enjoy 2-mile walks around the neighborhood and often relaxed with her toes in the sand at the intimate lake-side beaches. Friends and family may call at Murphy’s Funeral Home, 1102 W. Broad St., Falls Church, VA 22046, from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm on Tuesday, August 8, 2023. On Wednesday, August 9, 2023, a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church 8601 Wolftrap Rd., Vienna VA, 22182 at 11 am. Inurnment will follow at 1 pm in National Memorial Park, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA, 22042.