DIANE CLAIRE (PIELKE) RYAN

Diane Claire (Pielke) Ryan, of Newport Beach, California passed away on August 25, 2012. She left this world with the grace, dignity and spunk that she displayed throughout her life. Diane was born in Baltimore, Maryland where she spent most of her childhood on BelAir Road. She was the daughter of Bernhardt and Clara Pielke and had one brother, Emil Pielke, all of whom preceded her in death. She attended Parkville High School in Baltimore. Early in her career, Diane was a flight attendant for United Airlines. She later went on to receive her Arts Degree from UCLA in Interior Design. She became a partner in Ehrlich-Rominger & Associates an architectural design firm in Palo Alto, California. Diane was an active member of both the ASID and IBD associations. Over the past ten years, Diane proudly served on the Board of the Daughters of Charity Foundation, Western Regional Province and held the organization close to her heart. Diane’s first priority was always her family and friends, especially her six beautiful grandchildren. Diane and her husband, Tim, were a team. They travelled the world and enjoyed residences in Newport Beach, CA as well as Sun Valley, Idaho. Sun Valley was always a special place where Diane enjoyed hiking in the beautiful Sawtooth Mountains, listening to The Sun Valley Symphony, spending countless hours with family and friends and sitting out on her deck watching the kids enjoy the beauty at hand. Diane had several favorite activities including playing bridge with her closest friends, strategizing with her investment group, cooking, sitting at the beach, and baking cupcakes with her grandchildren. She was a loyal friend who respected and treasured her many relationships. It cannot go unmentioned that Diane enjoyed her daily life at the health club where she spent countless hours and cherished the many friendships she found there. Diane was a devoted, loving wife to husband Tim, a generous and supportive mother to daughters Shannon Nicosia (Jon), Brittany Michaelian (Bob) and a proud grandmother to her six grandchildren whom she loved deeply. The family would like to extend its gratitude to Dr. Robert Barone, Dr. Matthew Carroll, Dr. Ronald Tilsen and her many caregivers along the way who helped her fight a long battle with lung cancer. A private interment took place on August 28, 2012 at Pacific View Memorial Park, Corona Del Mar, California. A celebration of her life will take place on September 7, 2012 at 11am at Pelican Hill, 22701 Pelican Hill Road South, Newport Beach. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Diane’s name can be made to the charity of your choice. To Diane it was always about giving.