Diane Marie (Balderston) Young

Diane left us behind as earthly admirers on Wednesday afternoon, December 13, 2023.  She took her last breaths at home in Ives Hollow, town of Salisbury, where her heart lived and lives on, surrounded by her immediate family: a husband of nearly 44 years, Kirk, daughter Heather, son Ryan, son-in-law David, and her beloved pets Cooper and Lucy.  

She was predeceased by her parents George Emmett and Irene (Buccafurno) Balderston and her oldest brother G. Emmett Jr.  She is survived by her brothers Roger and Don, and nieces and cousins Michelle and Monica, Patsy and Ginger, Rob, Tom, Jill, and sisters-in-law Russeen and Maureen, as well as by close and devoted friends Susan and Vince Prestigiacomo, Linda and Mike Lyle, Tracy and Dave Kashuba, Mark Voorhees, Alicia Johnson, all of whom she loved dearly.  She was 65.  

Diane enjoyed her long career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, helping people retain skills of living and independence. She loved reading, and thrift shopping; she worked hard in her yard, and thoroughly enjoyed feeding bonfires. She brought a special touch to everything she did, one which is hard to reproduce.  She was creative and artistic, and loved relaxing at home and sinking into a good series or movie. She loved dogs and around this time of year she liked to ask, “Have you watched ‘White Christmas’ yet?” She rolled the best stromboli and loved to recreate her dear Grandmother Bridget’s brown bread.  She died on her Irish grandmother’s birthday. Half Irish and half Italian, quiet, and quick to laugh, Diane will be missed by many.  She truly was beautiful inside and out.  

The family would like to sincerely thank Dr. Haas for going above and beyond so many times, Dr. Canary and the Nursing staff at Herkimer Bassett Oncology for their compassionate care, Little Falls Hospital Emergency Room for life preserving measures on multiple occasions, and Betty Cool who came and cut her hair at home.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Diane’s name may be made to the wonderful Oneida-Herkimer-Madison Hospice program through which Diane was able to die with dignity and right where she wanted to be, at home with her family.

There will be no immediate formal services.  A celebration of life is anticipated for Spring.