Diana Duskin

Duskin, Diana H.

LOUDONVILLE - Diana H. Duskin, 94, passed away on Friday, November 9, 2012, in Loudonville, NY. She was born in Kearney, NJ, the daughter of Robert Gray Sutherland and Dorothy Kelley Sutherland. As a child she lived in Cuba, New Orleans, LA, and Houston, TX before moving to Nazareth, PA. She married Stephen J. Duskin, a chemical engineer, and they lived in Maryland and West Virginia before moving to Monroe, NY. She and Stephen eventually moved to Washingtonville, NY and lived there for many years, raising their seven children there. In recent years she lived in Delmar, NY and Colonie, NY.
Diana had a keen mind and a wide-ranging interest in many things, including art and literature, science and the natural world, pets of every sort, and current events. She had a unique quality of warmth toward, and interest in, everyone she met, and had this wonderful characteristic until the very end of her days. She loved gardening and raising beautiful flowers, had a talent for watercolor painting, and wrote lovely poems such as this:
"Your letter"
Your letter came today
I touch your touch upon the page
And draw you close
Her greatest joy was her family--her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. In her own words: "The justification of my existence is knowing of my children's accomplishments. They led good lives and had higher purposes which I believe they will pass on to their children. My wish is that there will be a movement away from destruction and war and a movement toward peace and healing. I have many happy memories of my children's friends at the table, always room for an extra plate. And happy memories of lots of pets and lots of animals. It was fun to feed everyone and everything."
Diana was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, her son Douglas J. Duskin, and her grandson, Chief Warrant Officer Michael S. Duskin. She is survived by her sons George Harley (Claire) Duskin, Daniel P. Duskin, and Stephen J. (Marina) Duskin; her daughters Dorothy Russell, Margaret Duskin (Joe Forde), and Priscilla Duskin; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
The family would like to extend thanks to Dr. David Hornick and Craig Ritchie of Homedical Associates and the Community Hospice of Albany County for their excellent medical care of Diana, and we are particularly grateful to the staff of Loudonville Home for Adults for their loving kindness to her while she resided there.
There will be a memorial service for Diana at Bethany Presbyterian Church, 21 N. Lyons Rd., Menands, NY on Dec. 1, 2012, at 3:00 PM, with visitation at 2:00 PM. Those wishing to remember Diana may make a contribution to the Patroon Land Farm of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY, Troy Area United Ministries or to the charity of your choice.