Diane Griliches

Diane Griliches, a woman of remarkable resilience, talent, dedication, and grace, has passed away.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Diane’s early life was shaped by her parents' divorce, which led her to navigate the world independently from an early age, living with three different families as an au pair. Despite these early challenges, her passion for culture and community flourished.

In 1948, the historic year Israel became a state, she attended the Brandeis summer camp at their music institute, a formative experience that deepened her lifelong love for music. While in Berkeley, California, Diane met Zvi Griliches. The couple married and soon relocated to Hyde Park, a neighborhood of Chicago near the University of Chicago. There, Diane worked as a nurse, providing financial support that allowed Zvi to complete his PhD at the University of Chicago in 1957, and laying the foundation for his distinguished career in economics. While in Chicago, Diane graduated from the Chicago College of Performing Arts in Music, and in 1969 Diane and Zvi moved to Newton MA where Zvi got tenure at Harvard. It was at this time that Diane created Kids and Company (a theater company for young children that brought out the best of their personalities) and began directing Musical Theater in local high schools – often in Hebrew – a wonderful marriage of her love of both Israel and music.

Following their life in Newton, Diane and Zvi moved to Cambridge and enjoyed being in the heart of Harvard University energy. A passion for photography soon became Diane’s creative passion, and her beloved Leica and Nikon cameras her tools for seeing the world. Diane formed a photographer’s group which met regularly for decades, to explore new photographic styles and share pictures for feedback. Diane also published four books of her photographs ranging in themes from libraries to music, to photography itself prior to the popularity of digital photography.

Diane’s early love of classical music continued throughout her life. She went to local concerts and traveled everywhere to hear her friends and family perform. Additionally, Diane practiced the piano daily in anticipation of playing chamber music regularly with “her violinist” Marc Benador and her friend Eric Maskin. She also served as a board member and supporter of ProArte Chamber Orchestra.

In addition to her artistic and creative endeavors, Diane was deeply invested in the future and democratic integrity of Israel. A member of American Jewish World Service, Diane traveled to Africa three times with delegations of congressional representatives and more recently, has been a major supporter of J Street which supports a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.

Diane leaves behind a wide group of loving friends who have seen her through these last several weeks and days, and for whom she has been incredibly grateful. Diane leaves her daughter Eve Griliches and son Marc Griliches, as well as nieces and nephews Leslie-Anne Copes-Finke (Andrew Finke) and Steven Copes (Anne Halverson), Claire Weiss-Weinburg (Alan). She also leaves behind her great nieces and nephews, Della (Gabi), Max, and Ezra Copes-Finke who have been an immense help and support as well during these last few months, as well as great nieces Kailah and Roya Weiss-Weinberg.

Diane will be remembered for her enduring strength, her nurturing spirit, her sense of humor, and her unwavering devotion to her family.

• Diane was 94 years old and passed away peacefully on October 10th, 2026

• Funeral for Diane Griliches will be held at the Levine Chapels on Tuesday at 11:00 am, followed by the burial at the Beit Olam East Cemetery on Route 27 on Wayland, MA around 2pm.

• Shiva will be held at Diane’s house from 5-8pm on Tuesday and from 1-5pm on Wednesday.

• In lieu of flowers please send donations to J Street or to the donation of your choice.