Obituary for Costa Rica RPCV Diana Josephine Forrester



After graduating from college with a major in languages, she volunteered to enter the Peace Corps, where she served from 1964 to 1966 in Costa Rica and married a fellow Peace Corps worker, Mark Forrester, in 1965.

Obituary for Costa Rica RPCV Diana Josephine Forrester

Diana Josephine Forrester

Diana Josephine Forrester passed away Feb. 8, 2008, at 66 years of age after bravely fighting Primary Lateral Sclerosis for 11 years. Diana was compassionately cared for by her assisted-living caregivers at Liann's Homes for the past five years.

Diana was born Oct. 5, 1941, to Virginia and Donald Doose in Pierce, Neb. Four years later, the family moved to Fort Collins, where Diana spent her childhood, graduated from high school and earned a prestigious Regents Scholarship from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

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After graduating from college with a major in languages, she volunteered to enter the Peace Corps, where she served from 1964 to 1966 in Costa Rica and married a fellow Peace Corps worker, Mark Forrester, in 1965.

Diana's primary occupation was that of a middle school teacher. She was fluent in Spanish, taught briefly in Oregon, then at Greenway Middle School as well as Vista Verde in the Paradise Valley Unified School District where she taught for 26 years.

She was an exceedingly versatile, talented person who painted, wrote poetry, made pottery, was a skilled photographer, loved to dance and, for a time, sang in the Scottsdale Symphony Chorale.

She enjoyed music, loved her family and reveled in the company of her friends when she would gather small groups together. Everyone enjoyed her wonderful sense of humor and fabulous cooking. She was also a nonjudgmental person of integrity and generosity who had a relentless work ethic and positive attitude that she never gave up.

Diana is survived by her sons, David Scott, Ian (Kim); and grandchildren, Celeste, Kyle and Austin; brothers, David Doose (Donna), Dale Doose; sister, Dorothy Schelske; former husband, Mark Forrester; and many dear friends. A memorial service will be held at a future date at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix on Lincoln Drive. Memorial contributions in Diana's name may be made to the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association, 4643 E. Thomas Road, Ste 1, Phoenix, AZ 85018, (602) 297-3800. Arrangements entrusted to Shadow Mountain Mortuary.

Originally published February 15, 2008

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Headlines: February, 2008; Peace Corps Costa Rica; Directory of Costa Rica RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Costa Rica RPCVs; Obituaries; Colorado