Diana DeSimone of Rockport, passed away at age 92 on February 22, 2023 after a brief illness. 

 

Born October 3, 1930 in Cambridge, Diana was the daughter of Teresa Picazio of Allston and James B. King of Cambridge.  She was predeceased by her older sister, Gloria Cleeton.

 

Diana was married in 1952 to John J. DeSimone who in 1966, died suddenly leaving her a widowed mother of seven young children: Francis, Mark, John, Viviana, Maia, Philip and Irene.  In 1988 she lost her youngest son Philip.

 

She is survived by six of her children, nine grandchildren, six great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

 

Diana loved music and literature.  She also enjoyed plants and flowers, crossword puzzles and paid close attention to the news.  Her other interests were many and varied including UFOs, spiritualism and espionage. During her more active years she taught yoga, gardened furiously, and made her own clothing.  Her children remember her as an excellent cook and baker.  At Thanksgiving, her pies were unsurpassed.  She was also an accomplished pianist and wrote her thoughts often in emails, poems, and essays. 

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Diana’s memory to Seaside Sustainability Mission and Vision or to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

 

A memorial service will be held at Bigelow Chapel, Mt Auburn Cemetery on Wednesday, March 1 starting at 1:00 PM with an opportunity for informal gathering and reminisces beginning at 12:00PM.  Interment at Mt. Auburn Cemetery will follow.

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To share a memory or condolences for Diana's family online, please visit Diana's obituary page on Legacy.com: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/bostonglobe/name/diana-desimone-obituary?id=48290713