Dianne Dee Villano, née Whittington, 77 years old of Longmont, CO passed away on Hospice on August 23, 2022.
Dianne was born in Wichita, Kansas on December 6, 1944, to Arlene (Archibald) and Lyle Whittington. She graduated from Bellbrook High School and Ohio University and received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Syracuse University. Dianne called Syracuse home for over 45 years. In 2015, she and her husband relocated to Colorado to be closer to family but she still followed ‘Cuse Basketball with fervor!
Dianne dedicated her career as a certified social worker to supporting individuals and families with disabilities and mental health needs. She was also self-employed as a psychotherapist and co-founded the Self-Awareness Center which operated for several years offering spiritual guidance, classes, and groups. Dianne always carried a fierce sense of justice and never shied away from taking action to right a wrong – even taking on the State of New York to challenge voting laws that affected out-of-state students.
Dianne cherished her family and friendships and loved sharing milestones, celebrations, holidays, and music. She was an avid card game and Bunko player and a prolific storyteller, always filling the room with laughter. Dianne was known for her margaritas which were always a big hit. She was an artist in her own right and always gifted her creations to loved ones, especially her original jewelry and quilts. To spend time with Dianne was to feel seen, heard, and valued; she epitomized the practice of non-judgment and compassion – true to her core.
Dianne served as the Board Vice President of the Wescott East Neighborhood Association and was active with the Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation while living in Syracuse.
Dianne is survived by her loving husband of 51 years Salvatore Villano, daughters Alexandra Villano (Peter Carucci) and Christina Villano (Chris Kaffer), her adoring grandchildren Lucia and Joseph Carucci, Lincoln and Ryan Kaffer, her devoted sister Jane Schares (Dave Schares), nieces Ashlie Schares and Ayla Schares, and her brothers James Whittington (Karen DeVoll) and Dennis Whittington (Lynn Whittington) and her nieces Mary Beth Whittington Sandcork, Holly Whittington Johnson, and Karen Whittington Garner. She is also survived by her loving sister-in-law Tina Villano Chase and her nieces Michele Chase Kashap, Alexis Chase, and nephew Michael Chase. Dianne was predeceased by Arlene and Lyle Whittington and her second and loving mother LaVerne Whittington. A memorial celebration will be held in her honor in Longmont, Colorado with friends and family.
Memorial donations may be made in Dianne’s honor to the Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation in Fayetteville, NY where Dianne spent several years working alongside others to raise awareness about Gage and her contributions to the suffragist movement (https://matildajoslyngage.org).
You will be deeply missed mamma D.
XO.
We were best friends from the day that we met. She was part of my world for almost 58 years. She was smart. She was funny. We always laughed a lot especially during hard times. She never shared anything told to her in confidence ~ she was a secret keeper. There is a hole in my world now. I will miss her forever.