Diana S. Coates

Diana S. (Selian) Coates, of Weston, died at home on Thursday, December 20, 2018 after a brief illness surrounded by her family. She was 85.

Born on August 26, 1933 in Waltham she was a daughter of the late Missack and Verkin (Tomassian) Selian. She completed both her undergraduate and graduate studies at Boston University. Her professional career included twenty-five years in public education five of which were in the Newton Public School System and the balance in the Weston Public Schools. She chaired a task force of Weston faculty/community volunteers appointed to develop procedures designed to assure that the Weston Public Schools were in compliance with Chapter 766 at its inception. She was a member of the Brook, Woodland and High School faculties and completed her last year of tenure as Acting Director of Special Education.

Following her retirement, she went on to become the Executive Director of Environmental Business Council, a non-profit trade organization, at its inception. It was an experience in staten, national and international trade. She worked closely with Massachusetts companies in the industry helping to advocate trade. She traveled to Asia, Canada and Mexico often as the guest of governments. She was also included in a number of government related meetings in Washington D.C. In June of 1995, she was honored at an event in Boston along with then Senator John Kerry and University of Massachusetts Chancellor Sherry Penney for her contribution to the environmental industry.

Over the years she participated in a number of volunteer activities. In the early 1960's she was president of the League of Women Voters the town of Burlington. The group was noted as the fastest growing League in Massachusetts. Later, she chaired a committee of parents who established a private kindergarten at a time when the state had yet to mandate public kindergartens in every community. Other experience included a Brownie troop, Cub Scouts, St. Peter's Episcopal Church Community telephone book. She was a member of the Board of Friends of the Weston Public Library for ten years and was president for two of those years. She was elected library trustee and served as chair for three of her six years in office. She enjoyed membership in the Weston Garden Club.

Her family gave her a great deal of pleasure. She often reflected not the number of new experiences her children introduced into their family life. She believed that travel was an enriching experience and spent the summer of 1955 bicycling through Europe returning later with her family. Gardening and the family home in Gloucester provided a quiet time which she relished.

In addition to her husband of 63 years, Arthur M. Coates, she leaves her children, Suzanne D. Coates-Walker (late Paul) and Dana M. Coates (Sharon) of Weston, Connecticut; her grandchildren, William, Caitlin, Kelley, Olivia, Nick and Andrew; her sister, Gloria White (Decker) of North Carolina; nieces & nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Diana's life by gathering on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 in Saint Peter's Episcopal Church, 320 Boston Post Road, Weston where her Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. and a collation will follow in the parish hall. Burial in Linwood Cemetery is private. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers memorials in her name to Massachusetts General Hospital, Breast Cancer Research, 55 Fruit Street, Yawkey Center, Suite 9A, Boston, MA 02114.