Obituary of Diane L. Dyson

Diane L. Cook Dyson, 76, died in her sleep at her Hawley home with her family, Friday, August 18, 2006, ending a seven-year battle with Alzheimers Disease an affliction that increasingly dimmed an otherwise successful and productive life. She was the wife of John C. Dyson Jr., who survives. Born March 29, 1930, Diane was the daughter of the late Loren E. and Janet Rasmussen Cook of Hastings and Omaha, Nebraska. Her brother, Stuart W., predeceased her in 1968. In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son, James D., and his wife, Barbara; two grandsons, Trevor and William all of Hawley; a brother Robert Weaver of Washington DC; a sister Barbara Weaver of Lincoln, Nebraska; several nieces and nephews. Early in her marriage, she was a member of the Red Cross permanent staff at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, and of chambers of commerce staffs at Norfolk, NE, and Corning, NY, before moving with her family to Honesdale in 1957, and Hawley in 1965. During her years in Honesdale and Hawley, Diane was active in a variety of community endeavors, serving as president of the Honesdale Womans Club, and later gave early and active support of the Hawley Library Association. She was also active in the family newspaper business during the 1960s and early 70s. Later in California, as an editor, she held long-term employment with Sunset Magazine/Sunset Books in Menlo Park, and was manager of the editorial department at Apple Computer, Cupertino, CA, during the 1980s. She was also a successful freelance editor and writer in California and in Corning, NY, in the late 80s and 90s. She traveled five continents and took up hiking in her 50s, counting among her accomplishments, treks through the Alps and throughout the backcountry at Yosemite National Park. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 9, at the First Presbyterian Church of Hawley, beginning at 2:30 p.m., with Rev. William Samford, officiating. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers are encouraged to Hawley Library Association, 103 Main Ave., Hawley, PA 18428, or to the Alzheimers Association, NEPA Region 63 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.