Diane Marie Calculli

Diane was born on November 20, 1952 in Italian East Harlem in New York City. She was the second of six children born to Nunzio and Marie Calculli. She was the beloved sibling of four sisters and one brother, as well as an adored cousin and niece in her extended beautiful Italian American family.

Diane entered first grade in Holy Rosary School on East 119th Street in East Harlem. At the age of 7, she moved with her family to Lindenhurst, Long Island, where she entered public school, and graduated from Lindenhurst High School in 1970. After graduation she studied Dental Assisting at the Mandel School, and worked for a while as a Dental Assistant. In 1974 she relocated to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where she studied Art at a community college. She loved drawing portraits and showed great potential as an artist.

In 1993, Diane moved to Las Vegas to join the rest of her family who had migrated west before her. In 2017, she moved into Silver Sky Assisted Living apartments in Las Vegas. Diane enjoyed the Silver Sky community, loved playing bingo and taking part in other social events there.

While on Long Island after she graduated from high school, Diane would go dancing just about every weekend. She loved to dance and would drive her orange Maverick to a favorite nightclub, where she would meet up with friends and dance all night. She loved Greek music, the Beatles and gathering with beloved friends for tea and conversation.

Diane loved her siblings and cousins and always treated everyone kindly. She could be hilarious at times. As a keen observer and listener, she was a master at impersonating both relatives and famous people, complete with accents and body language. At many a holiday gathering, she could keep her family and friends in stitches, howling with laughter. Even the person being imitated had to laugh, as she was so spot on. To the end of her life she never forgot a birthday or anniversary. She kept in touch with old friends through handwritten letters and thoughtful greeting cards, and she saved every letter and card she received.

Diane is survived by her five siblings, all of Las Vegas: her brother, Americo J. Calculli, and four sisters, Lorraine Calculli, Nancy (Gary) Pasquale, Carolyn (Edward) DeYoung, and Janice (John) Hertig. She is also survived by her four nieces, Natalie (Kyle) Lobeck, Olivia DeYoung, Isabella DeYoung, and Sophia DeYoung, and three nephews, Nicholas Pasquale, Anthony (Stephanie) Calculli, and Samuel Hertig. Diane was pre-deceased by her mother Marie Calculli, her father Nunzio J. Calculli, and her beloved niece Elizabeth Hertig.

Diane will always be remembered as a gentle soul. She was kind and non-judgmental. Despite the health issues that plagued her in the last decade of her life, she was resilient. She understood in her heart and soul that the greatest achievement in life is to learn love and forgiveness, and to extend kindness to all. She was childlike and guileless. Her gentleness will always be a source of love and admiration.

The Gospel of Matthew says it best:

"Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."

REST IN PEACE BEAUTIFUL SOUL . . .

A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Kidney Fund (kidneyfund.org) or One Mind (onemind.org) in her memory would be greatly appreciated.