PINE PLAINS — Diana Campbell Moore, 85, of Pine Plains, passed peacefully on Feb. 22, 2024. Diana was born May 4, 1938, in the Bronx, New York, to Margaret G. (Eickelberg) and Dunlap B. Campbell.
After graduating from Hastings High School in Hastings, New York, Diana began her career as a professional figure skating instructor, which she continued into her 70’s. She married C. Donald Moore on Dec. 18, 1965, and raised two children, Jeffrey and Susan. Starting out in Tarrytown, she lived across Westchester and briefly in Buffalo, New York and Oberlin, Ohio. She later lived in New Fairfield, Connecticut, until she settled in Pine Plains, where she enjoyed over twenty years of bucolic, small-town life.
Diana is survived by her loving family; son, Jeffrey D. Moore and daughter-in-law Diane, daughter Susan L. Nicolari and son-in-law Timothy; grandchildren Thomas D. Moore and wife Sherlyn Abdullah, Daphne L. Roberts, Evan M. Roberts and his partner Andie, Samuel A. Moore, William A. Moore, Griffin R. Roberts, and Serena E. McKeever; great-granddaughter Maya S. Roberts-King; niece Megan E. Genthner and her husband Michael; grandnephew Maxfield Genthner; and her extended family and many dear friends across New York and Connecticut. Diana was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Mona Campbell Thomas, and her son-in-law, Jeffrey R. Roberts.
Diana was absolutely adored by her grandchildren and her great-granddaughter. They had special nicknames for her: she was known as “Franny” to her Copake family, and “Tammy” to her Connecticut family. She carried pictures of them in her purse and would pull them out at a moment’s notice and recall special memories from their childhood with perfect clarity. Diana also loved her calico cat, Penny, who now lives with family and is receiving extra snuggles.
Diana was a United States Figure Skating Silver Medalist. She was a skating instructor at the Riverdale Ice Rink, Rye Figure Skating Club, Hommocks Ice Rink in Larchmont, Harvey School Rink in Katonah, and several others. She trained many beginner and competitive skaters. Diana will be remembered for her love of classical and jazz music and stories about her brushes with fame. As a younger woman, she frequented jazz clubs and concerts where she saw jazz legends such as Dave Brubeck and Ahmad Jamal, and more recently, met one of her favorites, John Pizzarelli, after a performance. Diana was proud of her ability to “stretch a dollar” and her various gigs led her to babysit and paint houses for celebrities and other notables.
She also loved tag sales, thrifting, and collecting, which inspired her to join the board at Willow Roots, a nonprofit organization serving Pine Plains. There, she managed the clothing exchange, and took great care to wash, iron, and mend clothing for donation. She had a special fondness for children’s clothing, toys, and books and helped many young families with gifts and clothing for their children.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 30, 2024, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Pine Plains Community Center above the library. The family invites Diana’s family and friends to come together to share memories and celebrate a well-lived life. A luncheon will be served. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Willow Roots and Collaborative Cats – A cat rescue in Diana’s memory.
