Diana Caggiano, 74, passed away on 1/24/2023 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She left this world peacefully, in her Boise home, surrounded by her family.
Diana was born in San Francisco, California in 1948 to Elise and Maurice Juster. She grew up in their Santa Clara home on Fresno Street with her three siblings, Bonnie, Jimmie, and Joanie, and she loved spending summers with her aunt and uncle in Rio Vista. She was smart, funny, mischievous, and the best dancer in the family.
Diana graduated from Buchser High School in 1966 and then attended Heald Business College.
She began dating Richard Alexander when she was in high school. They married in 1967, and in 1969, they had their daughter Kimberly. Diana began working as a secretary and bookkeeper for a local contracting company after she and Richard separated in 1973.
In 1977, she married John “Bobby” Marshall. Their son, John, was born in 1978, and their daughter, Kelly, followed in 1979. After a brief, but adventurous, move to Great Falls, Montana in 1980, the family of five eventually settled in Carmichael, California.
Diana loved entertaining and had a knack for making sure everyone felt welcomed and had a great time. For many years, she hosted Easter and Thanksgiving for extended family, and every summer there were countless pool parties with friends and neighbors. There was always delicious food, fantastic music, and a lot of laughter.
Diana enjoyed listening to a wide variety of music, reading, camping, crewel embroidery, shopping, and watching old b&w movies. She loved the sun and as soon as the weather turned warm, she would frequently be found laying out by the pool.
She had a competitive streak and loved playing games. Whether it was Trivial Pursuit marathons on New Year’s Eve or the countless games of Scrabble she played with her kids, Diana was a fun and formidable opponent.
Over the years, Diana alternated between staying home to be with her children and working outside of the home. At the age of 44 she went to medical assisting school with her daughter Kimberly. After graduation, she worked in the specialty of OB/GYN. She loved assisting the doctors, caring for her patients, and seeing the new life they brought into the world.
After 22 years of marriage, Diana and Bobby parted ways, and Diana moved back to San Jose.
On 11/20/2004, she married Frank Caggiano. The two enjoyed trips to Las Vegas, shopping, going to Giants games, and walking together in downtown Los Gatos.
Diana took up stamping as a hobby, spending hours creating beautiful and unique cards for every possible occasion to give to friends and family.
In later years, Diana found joy in gardening. She and Frank became regulars at the nursery, buying flowers, plants, and endless varieties of succulents, which were her favorites to grow. She made their small yard a beautiful place to spend time and relax in.
Diana was known as “Nana” to her granddaughter, Maison and her two grandsons, Joshua & Brendon. She was playful with her grandkids and wouldn’t hesitate to get down on the floor, be silly, play make believe, or shoot marbles back and forth down the long hardwood floor of the hallway over and over and over again. She was also a nurturer, doling out hugs and kisses, snuggling up to read stories, and heating towels in the dryer for post-bath cocooning.
Diana was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in May of 2015. Soon after, Kimberly and Kelly started an annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s team of friends and family called Diana’s ALZ Stars. Diana loved the annual walks, and the outpouring of support from the team meant the world to her.
Diana and Frank moved to Idaho in 2018, soon after Kelly relocated there with her family. During this transition, Frank retired and became Diana’s full time caregiver. This became increasingly difficult as her Alzheimer’s progressed, but it was a labor of love for Frank and he gave her the most exceptional care. Diana and Frank were together 25 years and married for 18.
Due to the nature of Alzheimer’s, we’ve been grieving pieces of Diana for many years, and as hard as it is to say our final goodbye to her, we find comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering from this cruel disease.
For those who would like to make a charitable contribution in Diana’s honor, please go to http://act.alz.org/goto/DianasALZStars and donate to the Diana’s ALZ Stars Walk to End Alzheimer’s team. Donations will fund resources for patients and caregivers as well as vital research towards a treatment or cure.