Diane Wood
1944-07-04 2015-11-14Diane Cusmano Wood
July 4th, 1944 - November 14th, 2015
Diane Cusmano Wood, artist, dreamer, creator, problem solver, conversationalist, lover of coffee, chocolate and cigarettes. She was undeniably energetic, upbeat and cherished her children and grandchildren more than anything else in the world. Deede died on Saturday November 14, 2015 of complications from Multiple Sclerosis at 71 years of age.
Born on the 4th of July in Melrose Park, Illinios, Deede grew up thinking the Independence Day fireworks were in celebration of her. Unshakably full of life, she had a love of meeting new people and experiencing new things, a passion for learning and an openness to the world with a rare mix of wisdom and naiveté. She was an optimist who looked for the best in people and always had a strong sense of curiosity, conviction, kindness, and compassion, as well as an incredibly strong will. Deede was never one to be told she couldn’t do something. She was a seeker, a searcher, and a passionate creator who thought outside the box and did things her own way. Good at most things she set her mind to and humble to a fault. With her bright, beautiful, light blue eyes, Deede had a calm sense of serenity, a patient ear and a wide-open heart.
There was something inherently special about her. She had an unspoken energy that transcended words, an undercurrent of connection to the world and those around her. That force remained in tact even in her most difficult days.
Growing up as a young girl in Huntington, New York, on the North Shore of Long Island, Deede spent her summers at the Yacht Club and Country Club. She and her sister Susan and brother Scott would swim and take sailing lessons during the day and enjoy formal dinners and Shirley Temples with their family at night. She adored sailing, the smell of the water, the breeze, the snap of the sail and the seagulls drifting through the setting sun. During her high school years in Coral Gables, Florida Deede would often take her fathers’ 36 foot sailboat out by herself, something other girls of that era rarely did. She held those memories close to her heart for her entire life, often joking that squinting into the sun was the cause of the wrinkles on her forehead. Her other passion from a young age was making art, excelling in a variety of mediums. Deede would take the train into Manhattan and visit her aunt Antoinette and uncle Stefano, on the Upper West Side. Stefano, an acclaimed artist, would immerse her in his home studio with oil paints and canvas where she poured into it, surrounded by his inspiring work.
Deede loved the excitement of New York City and eventually had an apartment there when she was working as a stewardess for United Airlines, where her father was a pilot. Greenwich Village folk music and Harlem jazz, dancing, museums and poetry, inspiration was everywhere. She adored travel and flying with a passion. A cross Canada train trip with her beloved aunt Junie at age 13 had whet her appetite.
Working as a flight attendant expanded those horizons, literally and figuratively, exploring different cultures and meeting a wide variety of people. Learning to ski in the Swiss Alps was one of many memories she cherished from that time. Decades later she would still reminisce about the fun and excitement of air travel in its golden age.
Deede had boundless curiosity, ideas, plans and inspirations, which, much to her parents dismay, seemed to distract her from sticking with one college long enough to actually graduate. Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, Chicago, and Minneapolis. She bounced around the country taking classes, working, making art, meeting people, and exploring life. An artistic visionary who felt comfortable around people of all walks of life. Deede finally fell in love with San Francisco. Surrounded by the ocean and a creative culture, she dreamt of buying a warehouse in which to live and make art. She was a social person who loved conversation but she also cherished her alone time, sitting in calm reflection or coming up with new ideas. A self described “Night Owl,” evening was the time her creativity flourished. Deede defied definition and always marched to the beat of her own drummer.
She began dating surfer and California native Robert Wood before he left to serve in Vietnam. They continued their courtship during his service overseas and upon his return to the states she moved to Southern California to be near him while he was stationed at Camp Pendleton. Deede and Rob married and moved back to Northern California where she worked as a graphic designer for small publications in the area. They had their first child, Bentley in Santa Rosa, California. A couple years after his birth they loaded a truck and moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, a small ski town nestled in the Rocky Mountains. There they pooled their imagination, skills and hard work, designing and building their own house. In the years to come they had their second and third children, Jessica and Prescott. Deede absolutely lived for her kids. She was a loving, nurturing mother who encouraged creativity, contemplation and resourcefulness as well as kindness and respect towards others. She enjoyed working on projects around the house, gardening, reading, sewing clothes and Halloween costumes, knitting, cooking, astrology, making art, going for walks in the woods, skiing, or taking classes at the community college in a variety of subjects including Japanese. Deede and Rob also created beautiful sandblasted signs for local businesses. She was a member of various local community organizations, including the League of Women Voters, PTA and a Cub Scouts den leader as well as regularly volunteering for local events such as Art in the Park, the Winter Carnival and hand painting banners for the Soda Pop Slalom, a ski race for little kids. While not a joiner of groups she felt a desire and duty to be involved in the community, especially when it related to her children.
In her late 30’s, following the death of her father, and dissolution of her marriage, Deede began experiencing problems with her eyesight, fatigue and balance, but it was not until her mid 40’s that she was finally diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Deede pushed forward with a calm optimism, despite the depression and exhaustion that comes with a debilitating disease. Seeking a change, she moved to Ojai, California for a time before eventually moving to Loveland, Colorado where she spent nearly 20 years. She volunteered her graphic design skills at the Thompson Valley Art League and helped build HUD houses. She did her best to continue living with as much energy and enthusiasm as she had before her diagnosis.
As time went on her gradual deterioration from MS further effected Deede’s mind and body. Her loss of the ability to walk was the most devastating. Every day became a battle of her will over her body and it was increasingly difficult to maintain what she referred to as a “normal life.” So much of the person she had always been became eroded by the disease. Her non-linear thinking, once an asset, became at times hard to follow. As a result long distance friendships became strained, some eventually fading out entirely, adding an aloneness to the already distressing battle she was embedded in. Somehow though, throughout it all, Deede maintained a strong sense of humor and willingness to help others, often placing the needs of family, friends and co-workers over her own. She spent the last years of her life living with her daughter Jessica and family in La Mesa, California. She cherished being so close to relatives again. Enjoying meals together or having her grandchildren excitedly run into her room to tell her stories.
Diane Wood lived a driving and vivacious life for the vast majority of it. She had more spirit, force and flare than most of us and the confidence that enabled her to lead a life fiercely following all that aroused her interest. Although over time her disease slowed her outward activity down, she remained as interesting and interested in the world as she always had been. She was a truly loyal mother, daughter, sister and friend. Her warmth, generosity, humor and curiosity transcended even her most difficult days. She cared about people, all people and the world at large. That was simply the type of person she was and why those that knew her were deeply touched by her. Deede is survived by her beloved children Bentley, Jessica and Prescott as well as her Grandchildren Haley, Nathan, Jacob and Aislin. She also leaves behind her sister Susan and brother Scott. Deede was preceeded in death by her parents August and Elaine Cusmano.
For more information contact her family at Bentley.wood@gmail.com