Obituary of Diane R. Conroy

Diane R. (Liscomb) Conroy, 76, of Poughkeepsie died May 16, 2016 after a long illness, at home surrounded by family. Diane was the oldest daughter of Herbert and Helen (Flaherty) Liscomb of Brockton, MA. Besides her parents, Diane was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, David, as well as her brother Herbert, Jr. She is survived by her children Dori, D-J, Diana (Fred Boehrer), Darrin (Suzanne), Douglas and Danielle (Micah Olson); her sister and brother-in-law Karen and Richard Kelliher; her grandchildren Corey and Christopher (Laura) Lamonica, Freddie Boehrer, Erin Levesque, Helen and Carol Conroy, and Sylvie Conroy; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws. The family would like to express its gratitude to the caregivers and hospice workers for the compassion shown to Diane. Diane was a 1957 graduate of Brockton High School. She met her future husband while working at a bank, where she said "inside my head his name appeared in lights!" She raised six children, and was their biggest fan at (and driver to) sporting events, school concerts and plays. Growing up, Diane's father managed a local SPCA office. This began a lifelong love of animals (and a houseful of pets), as well as a concern for others. She was a room mother for her kids, as well as a president of the Spackenkill PTA. She opened her home to foreign exchange students, and those without Thanksgiving plans. She sold POW-MIA bracelets, and wore one on her wrist for decades. She taught CCD classes and managed the Summer Joy program at St. Mary's Church, and worked with her friends as a professional child caregiver at Mama Shirley's Child Care. Diane grew up putting on plays and building tree houses. She was artistic throughout her life, putting her creative energy into crafts for her kids, grandkids and home. She also loved to read and garden. She put imagination into many festive parties, and avidly participated in the progressive dinners made famous in her neighborhood. She made lifelong friends through the Sugar and Spice Bowling League and the Dutchess County Scottish Society. Later in life, Diane discovered her fandom of the New York Mets, and was a proud member of the Red Hat Society. In the end, Diane was a kind and generous soul with a great big heart. She once wrote, "All my life I have tried to do things for other people. I just wish I could have done more." We feel she did plenty, and left an enormous legacy. Calling hours will be May 22nd from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at Straub, Catalano and Halvey Funeral Home, 55 E. Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered to celebrate Diane's life on May 23rd at 10:00am at St. Mary's Church, Wappingers Falls, NY. Inurnment at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery will immediately follow. To honor Diane's memory, please make a donation to Emmaus House (Albany Catholic Worker), 45 Trinity Place, Albany, NY 12202 or St. Peter's Hospital Foundation (ALS Regional Center), 310 S. Manning Boulevard, Albany, NY 12208, or plant a tree in her name. For directions or to send a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.