Diane Susan Lewis' Obituary
Diane Susan Lewis of Mandeville, Louisiana passed away on October 1, 2022, at the age of 83. She is survived by her life partner of twenty-four years Roberta E Kaskel, her nephew Randall Nyberg, her niece Deborah Kay Nyberg Davidson, Deborah’s children Courtney Noelle Davidson and Zachary Davidson, along with several cousins. She is the daughter of the late James and Dorothy Lewis (nee Lindquist) and the sister of the late Shirley Lewis Nyberg.
Born and raised in Burlington, Iowa Diane spent her college years in Northern California. She began her undergraduate studies at University of California Davis and earned a degree in medical technology from Sacramento State (CA). In 1965, armed with her degree, a well-honed medical laboratory skill set, a spirit of adventure, and her implacable commitment to quality health care for everyone she chose to serve as a medical technologist with the Thomas Dooley Foundation in Laos. She worked there, on the Cambodian border, until the American invasion of Cambodia forced the medical teams to evacuate. She returned in late 1970 as country administrator for the Foundation running medical operations on Khong Island, in Champassak, and throughout other regions of Laos. Diane remained in country until 1975 when the final fall to the Communists led her to return to the States. Her soul never left Laos and the Buddhist sensibility she developed there was her mainstay throughout life.
Upon her return to the States, Diane earned her Master of Public Health at The Johns Hopkins University. She spent most of the 1980s running medical laboratory service centers throughout the Baltimore Washington region. While rewarding work she longed to return to providing the direct patient care of the kind she provided in Laos. Again, she found her true calling at Planned Parenthood of Maryland, serving as the Center director in Towson. She and her team focused on providing inclusive, high quality, comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare services to the community in a respectful and compassionate environment. With Diane's leadership, the Towson team created a much sought-after health care facility treating women and men from all backgrounds.
In 2004 she generously changed her own career direction to join her life partner, Roberta, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Choosing to retire from active work in health care, she turned two other of her passions into part-time jobs. She founded and operated Columbo’s Collection, an on-line used bookshop specializing in perfect condition used softcover books across a multitude of genres. Over the years, she built up repeat business and engaged in on-going correspondence with many of her customers. She also found a way to turn her other passion – the right (and responsibility) to vote into action by working as a St Tammany Parish Poll Commissioner for many years.
Diane was a life-long advocate for animals. She loved her dogs, and they were companions throughout her life in Laos and wherever she called home in the United States.
Individuals wishing to acknowledge Diane’s personal and professional commitment to access to quality healthcare are encouraged to make donations to The Planned Parenthood of Maryland at www.ppm.care/donate. Please indicate that this gift is in memory of Diane Susan Lewis.
There will be no services. The family asks that you share your remembrances on the E.J. Fielding Funeral Home online Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W. 21st Avenue, Covington, LA 70433 has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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