Diane Darby Buckley

Diane was known by her family and scores of friends for her quick wit, sympathetic ear, and fashion sense. A consummate entertainer who adored a good party, Diane lit up every room she entered with her signature warmth and irresistible smile.

In recent years Diane made the most of her and Dan’s move back to Connecticut from Ohio by reconnecting with old friends, walking on the beach, and day-tripping to New York City for theatre and more.

Nothing meant more to Diane than family, especially her daughters McKenna and Keely. She delighted in her frequent visits with McKenna in Boston (where she also enjoyed the blessing of seeing her sister Mary Jo), and in helping Keely plan her wedding to Zachary Power last fall.

Diane Frances Darby was born April 4, 1960, in New York City, the daughter of Maureen (née McKenna) and James Darby. She was raised with her three sisters in Rochester, NY and Simsbury, CT.

Diane attended the University of Connecticut where she earned a degree in English. As a freshman, she met and fell in love with Daniel Buckley, also a UConn student. Diane and Dan’s 1984 wedding was the start of 40 years of happy marriage.

Early in her career, Diane worked in publishing. She was an editor at Accessories Magazine, where she interviewed fashion icons like Diane von Furstenberg, who so enjoyed their meeting that she gifted Diane a watch she’d admired.

For many years Diane was a stay-at-home mother, raising her daughters in Ridgefield, CT, and Cincinnati, OH.

Diane was proud of her Irish heritage, and was working to secure Irish citizenship through her maternal grandparents, Nora (née Elliott) and Thomas McKenna. She and Dan visited her grandparents’ hometown in County Monaghan, where they connected with cousins and traced family roots.

In addition to Dan, McKenna, Keely and Zach, Diane leaves her sisters, Ann Atherton (Scott) of Clinton, NJ, Joan Nill (Patrick), of Salt Lake City, UT, and Mary Jo Darby of Boston, MA. She also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins, and too many friends to count.

A service for Diane is planned for Friday, April 18 11am-1pm, at Swan Funeral Home, followed by a celebration of life at Donahue’s Madison Beach Grille, both in Madison, CT.

In lieu of flowers, Diane’s family asks anyone inclined to make a gift in her name to your local PBS Station or the ACLU of Connecticut.

A calling hours for Diane will be held Friday, April 18, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Swan Funeral Home, 825 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT. Following the calling hours will be an after gathering at 1:15 PM at Donahue's, 1320 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT 06443.