Diane P. Culpepper

Diane Pickett Culpepper (82) of Winter Park, Fla., passed away peacefully on July 26, 2025, due to complications from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a rare neurodegenerative disease. Her family was extremely proud of the way she persevered through such a debilitating disease during the last several years. Diane is survived by her daughter, Kristin Pickett Vasilj, son-in-law, John, and three grandchildren, Julia, Emily and Joey. “Grandma” was known for dressing up at Halloween, fully decorating the house for Christmas, baking up a storm for the holidays, closely monitoring all swimming pool activities, diligently working on 1000-piece puzzles, cheering at many volleyball and basketball games, and driving neighborhood carpools when visiting her grandkids. Diane was predeceased by her loving and kind husband, J. Blair Culpepper, as well as her wonderful parents, Hank & Betty Bruce.

Born in Pennsylvania, Diane grew up in a military family that moved every year. She lived in California, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, DC, Denmark and Senegal before graduating from Annandale High School in Virginia and earning her bachelor’s degree from George Washington University. Diane was a respected member of the Orlando and Winter Park business communities. For more than 25 years, she served as the vice president of government relations for BrightHouse Networks and its predecessor, Time Warner Cable. Previously, Diane worked for the Orlando Chamber of Commerce and established its annual Congressional Fly-in. Prior to moving to Florida, Diane worked in Washington, DC. She began her career in the Postmaster General’s office, transitioned to the administrative staff for the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, and wrapped up her DC days serving as the first staff director for U.S. Congressman Buddy Darden (D-GA). She was a savvy, skilled Hill staffer who parlayed her knowledge into a successful political affairs career in the growing cable and telecommunications industry.

Diane was a three-time chairman of the board of the Florida Cable Telecommunications Association, president of the Winter Park Rotary, chair of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, and board chair of the Orlando Museum of Art. She served on the boards of Florida House, Florida Chamber Political Institute, Orlando Chamber BusinessForce, and the Orlando Shakespeare Festival. Diane was active with Florida Executive Women, Friends of American Art (including the beloved travel club), and the Junior Leagues of Orlando and Washington, DC.

In her retirement, Diane loved traveling. Whether it was taking a train from Finland into Russia or through the Canadian Rockies, driving up the coast from California to Oregon, flying to the south of France with friends or to Syracuse to “camp” in the Adirondacks, boating through the islands of Croatia or the waterways of Lake Geneva, or even just taking a weekend trip with Blair to see the grandkids in Chicago, Diane was always ready for an adventure. She married her love of travel with her enjoyment of the arts. Typically, Diane’s return suitcase included a painting from a local artist. She was known to tape information about the painter to the back of the piece and often told detailed stories of when and where she purchased it. Her love of the arts extended to the stage, and she often treated her family to Broadway shows and local theater productions. If you knew Diane, you probably went to a show with her at some point during your friendship.

In honoring Diane Culpepper, please consider a donation of any amount to support research for Progressive Surpranuclear Palsy, which is woefully underfunded. The CurePSP organization and affiliated doctors provided an invaluable resource to her family during the last several years of her life. Just weeks prior to her passing, Diane was able to participate in CurePSP's new genome sequencing research project in an effort to help solve the mystery of the horrific neurological disease that stole her voice, sight, stability and precious time with her family. CurePSP.org/donate