Diane with George Clooney

Celebrating Independence

UN Civil Affairs colleagues

Diane leaves her friends and former colleagues with wonderful memories of her dedicated service to the people of South Sudan. She was through-and-through a humanitarian, using her legal training, vast field experience and sense of humor to serve in challenging and frustrating conditions, both as a UN official and as an NGO worker. She was renowned among colleagues for her deep knowledge of South Sudan and inciteful briefings. She was a generous hostess and a great cook, too. These photos capture happy times in Juba with UN Civil Affairs colleagues, the joyous celebration of South Sudan’s independence, and a fun occasion during the visit to Juba of actor and humanitarian activist George Clooney. Rest in peace, dear Diane!

    I was lucky and honored to have been married to Diane for about 20 years before we divorced. These are accounts of what a smart, strong, amazing human being she was.

Many of Diane’s friends have recounted her activities in the recent past. This piece is to describe some of her life before Africa and early years in Kenya.

I first met Diane at Belmont Park race track in 1973, she was about 18. She was working for the trainer Steve Dimauro as a hot walker. In the afternoon she cleaned stalls at Dimauro's Long Island farm. She hoped to become a thoroughbred jockey. Diane and I began dating and we worked at Santa Anita racetrack and eventually Louisville, KY.

In Louisville, Diane worked on a horse farm with over 30 horses. Such a job was hard labor requiring cleaning dozens of stalls and unloading hay trucks before stacking 100 pound hay bales in the loft. In the winter Diane had to lug a sledgehammer to the many paddocks to clear frozen water troughs for the turn outs. Diane rode the horses. Farm work was and is seven days a week. Hardwork is an inadequate description. Back breaking, exhaustive, and often dangerous is more accurate. As most of you know Diane stood only about 5 ft tall and weighed about 100 lbs. The work did not deter Diane.

After a number of months, Diane moved to a higher paying job grooming horses at Churchill Downs as well as working afternoons as an usher in the grandstand and clubhouse. Diane held those jobs for two years.

In 1978, we settled in Washington, DC so that Diane could obtain undergraduate and law degrees from George Washington University.

About 1986, Diane and I were offered an opportunity to work with an American NGO in Kenya. Diane learned of the opportunity through her work in Washington, DC with the Community for Creative Non-Violence (CCNV)’s homeless shelter.

The Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA), conducted programs through out Kenya building water tanks and encouraging agroforestry projects. Diane’s work was the start of her fascination with East Africa.

I like to think Diane’s early farm work toughened her up for South Sudan. With both her jobs at Save the Children-UK and for the UN, Diane frequently had to hike to villages out in the bush. Diane described to me the long night time hikes the teams would make to villages distant from Juba. Often they would have to cross streams and swamps. The other staff had little problem crossing the streams but Diane being short had difficulties crossing the streams while keeping her backpack above water.

Another amazing work Diane did was for over a year as camp manager for Save the Children-Canada at Dadabb in Northern Kenya. https://www.unhcr.org/ke/dada…. The camp was populated by Somali refugees. Diane stayed at the camp for weeks at a time flying to Nairobi for short rest and relaxation breaks.

The first year in Kenya, about 1986, Diane and I along with a small group of friends climbed Mount Kenya without guides or porters. It was a difficult climb. Diane helped a friend suffering from altitude sickness down the mountain. Again, it was physically challenging, but Diane easily made the climb.

I will miss Diane, not only for her intelligence but the descriptions of her world wide travels including, Turkey, Thailand, India, China, Portugal, Denmark, Mexico and Brazil. Old Town Alexandria will be poorer because of her death. 

Thanks Diane for all your support on the peacebuilding and conflict work we did in Jonglei in 2012 and the years after.   You were instrumental in the 'get shit done' attitude we AECOM people had in those days as you would clear the way for flights or meetings or connections and sharing of ideas and strategies.  You helped us get on those UNMISS choppers which were just flying in  water and food for the UN operation while we got supplies and cargo in for workshops and conferences to mitigate conflict  between groups.   We remember you fondly.   If only there were more with the dedication you had.   

So sad to hear about Diane's passing. She was a great colleague, friend and most importantly, I have never met a more sober and committed humanitarian. She leaves a remarkable legacy and impact on the Sudan peace process and stabilization efforts that followed independence of South Sudan. I will fondly remember her support  visits to UNMIS Malakal and the fresh goodies and good times she brought with her that nourished and soothed our weary spirits. Rest In Peace Diane.

Deepest condolences to Diane’s family and friends.  The world has lost a legend who was full of exciting stories from her travels, spanning decades.  

‘Stop and Smell the Roses’: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Lady D! (aka Diane de Guzman)

What: Storytelling Café

When: Saturday, 17 December 2022

Anytime between 10.00 to 13.00 EST(New York)/16.00 to 19.00 CST(Rome)

Why: Because she was a very special lady who we all miss!

Where: via Zoom: - PLEASE SHARE WIDELY

Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/842…

Meeting ID: 842 6861 7802

Passcode: 813290

Idea

An open invitation to family, former colleagues, neighbors and friends to ‘drop by’ online with your favorite drink and share a favorite story or memory; post a photo; play or sing a song (especially jazz); dance; or just listen and share together a moment of quiet reflection, warmth and appreciation.

Background

“Everything is on its way to somewhere else.” This was a line that I often shared when giving a farewell speech for a colleague checking out from UNMIS or UNMISS. It was meant to reflect how we valued one another’s’ company and comradery, and how those of us who remained would miss their presence in the mission. The line was also meant to reflect the natural order of all things, like seasons, they come and go. We cannot hang of to them as everything has a natural, preset progression. This line took on new meaning when I shared it several years later as part of my mother’s eulogy. Those of us from a religious background are familiar with the phrase that the person ‘has gone to a better place’. Regardless, we are often sad and feel an emptiness because we miss them in our lives. But…, what if we CHOSE to KEEP them in our lives by coming together and recalling stories and memories of times spent together.

A major part of Diane’s legacy was undoubtedly bringing people together from different cultures, backgrounds and walks of life. Some of us will recall various outings or simple times spent with Diane: whether going to a local market or to an elephant sanctuary; having a delicious cup of coffee at a coffeeshop or the beloved tukul; making homemade pancakes and other delicious items; and of course an aperitif with ‘stinky cheese’ and her favorite sundowner - a gin and tonic; or dinner at a fancy/exotic restaurant or a simple pot luck dinner. Whatever the activity, while in her company we felt the compassion, sincerity, generosity, class, genuineness, beauty and joy that she embodied.

As such, I invite anyone interested and available to drop by anytime for as long as you like on Saturday, 17 December, between 10.00 to 13.00 EST(New York)/16.00 to 19.00 CST(Rome), and share a few (or many) moments embracing ‘Lady D’ once again (and don’t forget to bring your favorite drink or snack)!😉 Please feel free to inform and invite others you know to join in the celebration.

I look forward to seeing many of you then.

Warm regards to all who miss her too!

Joe

I am grateful for the impact Diane had on the lives of so many of my family members but most especially on my sister Meredith. Her legacy will live on in Meredith for a long time!

Tibetan Buddhists, create a sand mandala; afterwards they sweep up the sand; symbolizing the impermanence of existence, and rebirth; then pour the sand into a river or sea, dispersing the healing energies of the mandala throughout the world

From first meeting Diane in 1976, knowing Diane has been a joy and a blessing for me and my family.

Our kids and their partners were fortunate to see Diane in Nairobi when we visited Meredith, Astha and Diane in Nairobi. Diane was packing up to return to the US but took time to show us around and entertain us in her home (an enlightening evening with Diane and her friend David, getting a deeper understanding of East Africa and the UN).

We accompanied Diane to the Muthaiga country club, where she told us how the club had integrated over time and we joined in a hilarious, raucous, wonderful and carousing Christmas sing-along. It was a side of Nairobi we would not have otherwise seen.

She touched all of us, both personally and with worldwide intent. Diane’s life was one of advocating and working to improve the lives of the hungry, oppressed, besieged, and displaced, and we will never forget that she made the world a better place.

I am reminded of Tibetan Buddhists, creating a sand mandala; afterwards they sweep up the sand; symbolizing the impermanence of existence, and rebirth; then pour the sand into a river or sea, dispersing the healing energies of the mandala throughout the world.

Drew Karazin

I'm so sorry to hear this news and I send my sympathies to her family.  Like so many others, I was deeply inspired by Diane and her seemingly infinite commitment and passion for Sudan.  Diane and I went on a memorable trip to (the area then known as) Western Upper Nile in September 2001. We were investigating abuses against civilians displaced from along the oil road and we had to walk for several days to find people who had fled the area. One evening we stayed near a cattle camp after we had finished our work. It was one of those beautiful golden sunsets, punctuated only by the beeps of the BBC from a small handheld shortwave radio as the evening news began. Suddenly, Diane and I were urgently called over to listen and we stared at each other numbly, shocked, as we heard the report of planes flying into the World Trade Center. Years later, we both had vivid recollections of that evening when so many things changed.  Diane, you were a wonderful, gallant spirit and I'll miss you. 

Myself, my brothers, our wives, and the rest of the Keeler family were very sad to learn of Diane's recent passing. It has been very heartwarming to read the many tributes bestowed on Diane on this website. We are proud that she had such a positive impact on so many people in need in Africa, and made so many cherished friends around the world. We have lots of cousins on our father's side, but Diane was our only cousin on our mother's side. In our childhood, the Keeler family spent many, many happy days with Diane and her father, Uncle Bob, and her mother, Aunt Peggy. There are many warm memories, but one that stands out for me dates to the 1960s when they lived in the Green Acres development outside of Hudson, NY. The family room in that house had a turntable embedded in the wall, and when you wanted to use it you would pull it out and drop it down so it was horizontal. When we would go over to their house, Diane would play Beatles albums and I got hooked and have been a lifelong Beatles fan since, yeah yeah yeah. Diane also loved horses. I remember when we would be at our Aunt Mardie's house she and I would grab blankets and toss them over big, low hanging tree branches. The blankets were our saddle and we would mount and ride our "horses". Rest in peace, Diane - we love you.

You will be missed but your kindness and goodwill will love on in those you helped. Diane you were a beacon of inspiration for many and a rock of support for others. I will cherish the time we had together. Rest well and in peace.

I am so sorry to learn about Diane's passing. What a lovely, helpful, thoughtful woman who was completely happy to provide every possible support to me in 2006-- a complete Sudan rookie. I know she did the same for many, many others. Thank you, Diane. 

Diane will be missed and always remembered by her postcard community. She wrote postcards during her chemo treatments which doesn't surprise me having read the memories her friends and colleagues have wtitten. What a life of service that clearly touched many, many hearts. Her lovely spirit will forever be walking the streets of Alexandria. 

My condolences to Diane's family. I first met Diane in Mogadiscio, probably in 1986. I had just spent a few days there but we did click. As the years went by, we didnt see much of each other but exchanged long letters / mails and shared joys and concerns. The few times we did meet were as if time had not fled.  The lockdown prevented me to come over to the States but we did rejoin last April in Portugal and that was great and will be cherished memories.  Even though we did not live nearby, the fact that Diane is not there anymore is painful. And such a life, dedicated to Africa and to others. Such an appetite for life. I'll remember her.

I would like to offer my condolences to Diane's family and her many friends.  I new Diane when I was working in South Sudan and she was always bright, focused and on top of what ever she was working on.  Although she was more senior and far more experienced than me, she was always kind and gracious with her time and knowledge.  She was a quiet but effective diplomat and it was clear from her actions that it was never far from her mind why she did what she did - to find a better way to protect and help those who were suffering or being oppressed.

Everyone who passes through this world shares in the same existence, and a few people are committed to making that existence better for everyone else, Diane was one of those people.

Diane and Tomoko in action

I am still processing that Diane is gone forever....it's hard to believe. Diane was synonymous with humanitarian and political affairs in Sudan and South Sudan for so many years. She was a known expert, and someone I, and many others, looked to for wise advice, counsel and analysis. She amazed me constantly - how she plunged into potentially (likely!) dangerous situations in Sudan and South Sudan, not worried about herself, but about the populations at risk that she was going to see. It was a loss to Sudan/South Sudan when she left for other assignments. I’ll never forget her hospitality in Nairobi and Juba where she brought her friends together over fabulous meals whipped up with seemingly little effort, helping us extend our own friendships and work contacts. Upon her retirement we had more time to spend together in the DC area, and I especially treasured these last months when we enjoyed long conversations over lunches, coffees, and museum visits. I shall miss Diane so much. But what a legacy of dignity, compassion and humanity she leaves us. I attach a photo from this year on one of our outings in DC. Diane, as beautiful and classy as ever!  

Kate, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Diane and Kate in DC

Farewell, Diane. You were always the most generous of friends and your beautiful cottage in Nairobi was for many years my second home. I will always treasure the memories, of that and of adventures in your little blue car. I'm so glad you made it up to Scotland and am in awe of your determination to make it happen! Having you stay and listening to you and Fergus talk of South Sudan just underlined your extraordinary knowledge of that country and your love for its people. RIP, not many people will leave such a legacy