Diana Smith Obituary

Diana Mary Smith Charleston - Diana Mary Smith is now in one of her favorite states of mind, the Quiet. She passed away from lung cancer on Wednesday, December 20th at 75 years young. Diana relocated to Charleston in 1998 from the northeast. An entrepreneur and bookkeeper, she owned and ran Diana's Restaurant and Cafe Cafe, both on Meeting St., until 2005 when she sold the businesses. She was well known for her baked goods, especially French Toast Strada and Diana's Favorite Chocolate Cake. She was a consummate business woman and gourmet cook. In her career, she also owned and ran a bed & breakfast inn in Woods Hole, Mass., managed a luxury inn in New Hope, Pa., and managed the computer department of an accounting firm in Hyannis, Mass. Diana was born in Maine and grew up in Manchester, Conn. She graduated from high school and community college. She married a career Coast Guard Quartermaster with whom she had a daughter and son. They lived in New York, North Carolina, Washington, DC, Tennessee, and Hawaii. Diana's Irish grandmother, Alice Casey, taught her to knit, and from there, she became an accomplished creative hand crafter with crochet, cross-stitch, and samplers. Diana quilted, sewed, did drapery and furniture cover work. She especially liked making quilts for her grandchildren. After retirement from the restaurant business, Diana worked as a part-time bookkeeper for Pro-Golf, Green Law, and Wilson & Heyward Law. Her last home was in downtown Charleston. She loved living in the city and walking to events and supporting Charleston's cultural scene. As a gourmet cook, one of Diana's greatest joys was being in the kitchen to prepare meals, baked goods, and birthday cakes as a prelude to having different groups of people to the house or just "feeding" friends and colleagues who needed a good meal at Diana's table. She loved to cook and entertain for friends, visitors and her partner. She set the most beautiful table for whatever the holiday or occasion was. Her High Tea special event rivaled anything commercial. Her greatest and lasting contribution was participating in and working to live the philosophy of the "Friends of Bill W.". She helped many by her spiritual guidance, even more so by her example. Her exemplary life was such as to enhance the lives of many who knew her. Diana was straight-forward in her demeanor and always gave an honest opinion or answer. Yet, she was compassionate and wanted the best for people. Diana lived in the present moment and practiced mindfulness. She and her sister loved to laugh, "get silly", and enjoyed traveling together. Diana was a line dance enthusiast, making some special friends in the process, and belonged to a group that danced for local retirement/nursing facilities. For eighteen years, Diana and her partner, Su, took a wonderful journey of life together "saving the best until last." As she served as mentor for others, she also helped Su to be the best she could be in her chosen profession of public service. Diana is predeceased by her daughter and son. She is survived by her spouse, Susan Griffin (Charleston, SC) mother, Irene Poulin (Conn.), her sister, Barbara Catrette (Charleston, SC) her daughter-in-law and grandchildren, Charlene, Cameron & Shannon Pierce and other family/friends (Cape Cod, Mass.), her niece's family, Lynda, Jim, Lucy & Sophie Roberge (Conn.) and a second niece and daughter, Cherish & Jessie Harrell (Chicago, Ill. area). She is also survived by a special local group of girlfriends who shared holiday dinners, friendship, and support as a family of friends. We would like to thank Dr. George Keough for his care, compassion, and the most beautiful bedside manner a doctor can practice. Of the Roper-St. Francis organization, heartfelt appreciation is extended to Dr. Frances Hughes, Roper Hospital ER staff, and to the Oncology floor staff, especially Nurse Jessica. Hospice of Charleston was a gift to Diana. The professional and personal level of care and kindness extended to Diana and her family made every difference during this end stage. Memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of Bill W. to Old Central, PO Box 22141, Charleston, SC 29413-2141. A memorial service for Diana is scheduled on Saturday, December 30th at 11:00 a.m. at the Unity Church, 2535 Leeds Ave in North Charleston, SC 29405. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston