Diana Lucarino-Diekmann was a contributing writer to La Gazzetta for the past 10 years. She authored many articles on fitness and lifestyle, a lovely column about life with her Italian mother, aunts and family, many recipes, photo exhibits, and one of our favorite pieces, a recent article about funny travel stories with her sister Joni. Joni Lucarino is also a regular contributing writer and La Gazzetta extends love, comfort and prayers to Joni and her family as they honor Diana's life.

May Diana's memory live on through everything she's shared with La Gazzetta these past years. Her La Gazzetta family certainly will miss her.

It is with profound sorrow that I write these words in memory of my beloved sister, Diana, who passed away suddenly in August. Her million-dollar smile and positive nature lit up a room and touched all who met her.

In 2018, when Tony Kellers suggested writing for La Gazzetta Italiana to me and my sister, she was so excited and it quickly became her passion. She was always ready with pictures and articles months in advance and often pushed me to finish and submit my own.

Together we shared not only the bond of a family of five sisters, but the connection of writing for La Gazzetta, telling stories of our community, our Italian heritage, our culture, and our lives. We were both so grateful to have the opportunity to write for this publication.

Her articles captured her inquisitive nature, her creativity, and her determination to live life to the fullest. From a young age, she inspired me to read and explore all that the world has to offer. As adults we often shared those experiences whether it was cooking, baking, traveling, or writing.

Our first and our last articles were a collaboration from both of us. They recounted our adventures and misadventures while in Italy and Sicily. In November 2018, we wrote of our WWOOFing experience on a farm in Cancellara and in August 2024, we wrote of more misadventures while traveling together again in Sicily and southern Italy.

Diana’s sudden passing has left a deep void, but her legacy will live on in the words she has written and in my memory.