Diane loves to make people happy, and a big part of that is about cooking. Not just regular Mom cooking for the family, Diane became a professional cook, doing things like systems for shopping, menu planning and cooking for a crowd, that are commonplace today, but not so much 30 years ago.

The first change occurred when her husband had a heart attack at 41 and she figured out how to create delicious food in healthy ways. Small changes added up to a lifetime of good food and excellent health for the family.

She then began catering (Catered for You) when she lived in Bay Village. She did some work for the Jesuits at Ignatius, and was subsequently hired to cook for the priests.

After they moved to the DC area for Bob’s work, Gonzaga High School in DC was looking for a cook. When Diane went to the interview,she brought her famous coffee cake, and got the job.

When they learned she could order food, make the meal plans and do the cooking, she eventually worked there for 14 years.

Not yet ready to retire, Diane did demos at Trader Joe’s. She was approached to work for the nuns at Holy Trinity parish in DC, but only wanted part time, so she job shared with another friend who was also a good cook. The pastor at Holy Trinity then hired Diane to also work for the parish house.

She set everyone’s meals in motion, and was able to head home to be there for her family. Her specialties there were crab cakes, walleye and home made soups.

They returned to Cleveland in 2009. When Ignatious was running a fundraiser, she created a cookbook, Cooking with the Jesuits, featuring her recipes and some of the priests’ favorites.

She has also been the ‘prize chef’ in school auctions, once cooking in a railroad car that had a kitchen, and even creating a brunch that raised over $3K for the school.

After finally retiring, Diane decided to try an art class, and loved it. She went from beginner to accomplished sketcher and painter, and continues to take art classes today, in Westlake, Rocky River and Cuyahoga Falls.

She volunteers regularly for the Village project, and for her church. She says every day, she appreciates the everyday miracles all around her.