Diane Ellen Biancalana (nee Cassidy)

Diane Ellen Biancalana (nee Cassidy)

Passed away peacefully at home on April 21, 2017. She was 69.

Diane was a native 3rd generation San Franciscan born on May 12, 1947. She was the fourth of seven children and the only daughter of Gloria and Jack Cassidy. She attended catholic schools in San Francisco, Westlake and Burlingame, graduating from Mills High School in Millbrae, CA class of 1965. Being the only girl in the family had some privileges, as Diane was the focus of her family and beloved by her parents and all of her brothers. Diane was a natural beauty but also a self-starter. Shortly after High School, she joined TWA as a flight attendant and remained with TWA until she retired.

She married Alan Biancalana, her husband of 32 years, in 1985. Even though they lived only three houses apart, they did not meet until 1978 and 7 years later they married in in Waimea Bay. Diane and Alan were an active couple, attending art and museum exhibitions, concerts, skiing and traveling extensively until 1996 when she assumed the role of her mother’s home care health supervisor and caregiver. With the aid of her husband Alan, she was able to devote herself unwaveringly to her mother Gloria until to the end.

Diane lived a life most people dream of but never have. Flying to Rome, Paris and London for work, enjoying lunch in Central Park or Positano, skiing at Tahoe or marveling at the beauty of Hawaii, Tahiti or Africa, she was a woman who grasped life. Growing up with six brothers, she was strong and knew her mind but could easily charm yours. Her beauty was alluring but her intelligence, fortitude, quick wit, and her ability to laugh out loud were all part of the package.

Preceded in death by her parents and oldest brother Bill, Diane leaves behind her loving husband Alan Biancalana, brothers Dennis, Ross, Jay/Joey, Brian and Sean/Janet; Uncle Bill/ Nancy Cassidy, sister in law Karen/Kevin Pitzer, brother in law Rick Biancalana; nieces Maureen and Pam, nephews Tony and Kevin and cousins Terry Cassidy, Leanne Cassidy and Ingrid Gerstmann Broughton and many other cousins and great-nieces, nephews and friends.

You are forever loved, forever missed and forever remembered.

Prayer service Thursday 7:00 pm Crosby and Gray Burlingame. Funeral service Friday 1:00 pm at Our Lady of Angels Burlingame. Burial service following at Holy Cross cemetery.