Diana M. Gurieva, 67, died at home on February 6, 2017. Diana was the long-time executive director of the Dyson Foundation, a regional grantmaking philanthropy in the Mid-Hudson Valley directed by the Dyson family. She began a phased retirement from the Dyson Foundation in 2015.
She was born in London, England and immigrated to the United States as a child with her family. She grew up in Southern California and Europe before attending Vassar College in the 1960’s (class of 1971). She subsequently attended the University of Michigan and received a Masters of Public Health.
Diana spent her entire career working for causes and non-profit organizations that focused on issues that she was passionate about. She was a fervent believer in reproductive rights. Diana began her career with the first legal abortion provider in Missouri shortly after the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. That clinic subsequently evolved into what is the only abortion clinic left operating in Missouri due to the current egregious and patently illegal state restrictive laws. She spent almost 20 years directing several Planned Parenthood organizations. In 1991 Diana became the long-time executive director of the Dyson Foundation, a regional grantmaking philanthropy in the Mid-Hudson Valley directed by the Dyson family. She began a phased retirement from the Dyson Foundation in 2015. She helped to shape the foundation into a prominent and progressive funder in the Mid-Hudson Valley and beyond. She cared deeply about the work of the philanthropic organization and believed in the importance of grantmakers working towards a just society that provided opportunities for all. She was very influential in her work with a number of organizations, including the Walkway Over the Hudson and many others.
Another issue that was a driving force for Diana was her commitment to improving the lives of the many abandoned and unloved dogs, and had worked with local and other animal rescue and welfare organizations. At the time of her death, she was a board director of the Animal Farm Foundation, founded by her best friend, Jane R. Berkey. After her death, Diana is looking forward to being re-united with the many dogs she loved in her lifetime, especially Rex, Fido, and Chezzie, who were her “heart -dogs”.
In addition to being survived by her husband, Wayne “Max” Godby, who also served as her closest and dearest caregiver during her cancer journey, she also leaves her living dogs, Ollie who was her close companion in her dying days, and of course, Nellie and Roxie.
Diana did not want a funeral or memorial service or flowers. She asked that she instead be memorialized by gifts to animal rescue organizations, Planned Parenthood affiliates, and cancer assistance. Specific organizations that she supported include the Best Friends Animal Society (UT), and Planned Parenthood of the Mid-Hudson Valley (NY). – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/poughkeepsiejournal/obituary.aspx?n=diana-m-gurieva&pid=184061615#sthash.4r210j1P.dpuf
