Diane was born on December 16, 1953 in Brooklyn, NY, growing up in the shadow of Coney Island and would later move to Long Island, where she was living when she met the love of her life, her husband Michael.
They met at a now-closed pub, The Shannon Inn in Flushing, NY, were the first couple to get married in the new church that opened across the street from the Shannon, St. John's Vianney, and then moved into an apartment around the corner on 34th Road, where just three weeks into being married, they found out they were having a honeymoon baby. He was 21, she was 20 and they were inseparable for decades, through it all good and bad, having just celebrated their 47th year of marriage in November 2021.
Diane was a proud registered nurse who worked with oncology patients at Flushing Hospital, emergency room patients at St. Catherine’s and later in her career, moved on to case management for a number of different health care companies. The day she earned her nursing diploma from Queensboro College was among the most proud days of her life and she served her cause with deep passion and attention until her health issues led her to retirement.
Diane loved dance, especially ballet, grew up a devoted fan of the Beatles (she was at the infamous Shea Stadium concert) and as a child, even once appeared live on TV on Wonderama in the NYC area! She loved animals, was a huge Hello Kitty fan and relished her vacations to Disney Parks.
Most of all, she cherished being “Grammy” to her grandchildren.
Diane was preceded in passing by her brother William, who is dearly missed.
Beyond her beloved husband Michael, Diane is survived by her sons Michael (Jessica) and Mark (Donna), her daughter Melissa (Michael), her grandchildren Alexis, Luke, Tyler Rose and Eric, her brothers Frank and Brad White and their families, her dearest lifelong friend and true sister from childhood and beyond, Nancy Purdue and countless others she touched in life through her personal and professional journey.
Of course, we couldn’t not mention Gizmo, Diane’s beloved Shih Tzu and her cat Mush, who were her constant companions later in life and who she loved dearly.
The Johnson family thanks you for your sympathy and kindness in this darkest hour but remain steadfast in knowing that Diane will not, can not, ever be forgotten and that all who she touched in life remain as much of her legacy as the stories about her that we will cherish and share forever.
A visitation for Diane will be held Thursday, April 21, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Friday April 22, 2022 from 10am-12pm at Quinn - Fogarty Funeral Home, 192-15 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, NY 11358. Committal service to follow at Mt St Mary's Cemetery, 172-00 Booth Memorial Ave, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365.
Donations in Diane's memory can be made to North Shore Animal League, a no kill shelter from which the family has adopted many beloved pets over the years. https://www.animalleague.org/
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.quinn-fogartyfuneralhome.com for the Johnson family.
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