Remembering Diane

On October 12, Diane Berladyn, a great PSP supporter, board member and board president, passed away after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

Diane was very dear to PSP and to both Katey and Peter. She was a champion of PSP for many years.

“I remember Diane’s shyness, her deep dedication to TUTS and later to PSP; I remember her being really mad at us for making budget decisions without her advice, and boy was she right; I remember how moved and quietly proud she was of The Light in the Piazza. And I remember on a certain afternoon in Chris Allan’s back yard watching Diane and Michael Noon dissolve into fits of laughter while trying to put sealing wax on invitations to a fundraiser. I wish we had been aware of her struggles with cancer; we would have helped in any way we could.” – Katey

 

“Diane believed very strongly in the work we were doing and her enthusiasm and support was always keenly felt (even when she was trying against all odds to get us to be more pragmatic). She loved local musical theatre, and local musical theatre artists, and was always unreserved when expressing her resolute belief in me as a director. I always found more strength and purpose from her resolve.” – Peter

At Diane’s celebration of life we discovered that It’s a Wonderful Life was Diane’s favourite Christmas film when one of her close friends rang a bell for Diane to get her wings. It was a perfect moment of serendipity, letting us know that she’ll keep watching over us. Any theatre company could use a guardian angel, and Diane would be one of the best.

We send our deepest sympathies to all those who knew and loved her – and they are many.

We will think of her often.