Diana Garret's Obituary
Diana Garret was a most remarkable woman. She was born December 28, 1920, in Union City, New Jersey. Her mother suffered from the cold weather in New Jersey, so the family moved to San Antonio, Texas when Diana was eight years old. The family lived near the railroad tracks during the Depression and when indigents got off the train, they would come to their house asking for a handout. My grandmother never turned anybody down. She would always see to it that they had something to eat. These lessons of concern for others and sharing whatever they had stayed with Mom throughout her life.
Diana performed in theater and on radio in San Antonio, Texas, and in New York City. And in New York City, she met Dad in September 1942, when Dad was home on recuperative furlough. Soon after meeting, Mom returned to San Antonio, but they corresponded daily and married April 3, 1943.
After Dad’s military service, they returned to the University of Illinois where Dad taught and was the fencing coach. Mom had a wonderful relationship with the fencers on Dad’s teams and attended most of the fencing meets. The fencing team often came over for dinner, and the fencers often called her Mom or Mrs. Coach. Mom was more than supportive of Dad’s career. They were a team. It was heart-warming that so many of the fencers stayed in touch with Dad and Mom over the years.
Mom taught Creative Dramatics at elementary schools in Champaign, Illinois and was in the Faculty Players Theater Group. Mom loved working crossword puzzles and cryptograms.
Throughout her life she was involved in Hadassah, Sisterhood, and Brandeis. She loved being a greeter at Temple Beth Kodesh, and participated in many temple activities.
Mom had a strong spirit, a positive outlook on life, laughed easily and shared many happy times with family and friends. She considered friends, family. Whenever anyone asked for help, she tried to provide it, whenever she could. She was willing to share her time, abilities, and whatever she had. She enjoyed cooking, crocheting hats and chapel caps, making boxes out of greeting cards, and sharing her creations with others.
She had wise and practical words for almost every situation. She often said, “I’m too blessed to be stressed,” and “My attitude is gratitude.” And indeed, she was blessed with a devoted husband and partner in their seventy-year marriage, loving children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, wonderful caring friends, neighbors, and caregivers. She was appreciative and very grateful for all the blessings in her life and for every kindness that was shown to her.
We had a wonderful, warm and tightknit famiy, and we are so grateful to have had such wonderful parents.
Diana Garret is survived by her sons, Roger Garret [Sara] and Bruce Garret, and her daughter Esther Garret Solar [Gary]; grandchildren: Lisa Blitstein Beynon [Kenny], Robyn Epstein Kreiner [Jason], Joshua Garret [Ashley], Caleb Garret, Jesse Garret, Stephanie Garret Kelly [Trey], Noah Garret, Seth Garret [Esther]; great grandchildren: Olivia, Jordyn, Dylan, Tyler Mac, Millie, and Wade Cooke. Diana’s husband of 70 years, Mac Garret, and her daughter, Roberta Garret Blitstein Epstein preceded her in death.
Memorial donations may be made to any of the following:
Temple Beth Kodesh
501 NE 26th Avenue
Boynton Beach, FL 33435
UIF/Maxwell R. Garret Scholarship Fund
c/o Dean Cheryl Hanley-Maxwell
110 Huff Hall
1206 South Fourth Street
Champaign, IL 61820
Garret Fencing Scholarship
Penn State University
111C Bryce Jordan Center
University Park, PA 16802
Attention Wes Glon
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