Obituary of Diana L.P. Caswell

CANTON – Diana Lee Pike Caswell, 72, a longtime resident of Canton, passed away surrounded by her loved ones on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at Oneida Extended Care Facility after a long health struggle.

Born March 6, 1951, in Ogdensburg, she was raised by her late parents, George L. and Mary (Sheets) Pike. Diana graduated from Norwood-Norfolk Central School in 1969. She was actively involved in the Majorettes, National Honor Society, Student Print Staff, and other school groups. She later graduated from SUNY Canton with a degree in secretarial/ business. She enlisted in the United States Army Reserves in 1974 and served as one of the first female reservists and a secretary. Diana worked for the State of New York at SUNY Canton in the Print Shop and SUNY Potsdam Print Shop. After retiring she continued to work part-time jobs at SUNY Potsdam Library, St. Lawrence County Department of Health, Northern Abstract, and Walmart. 

On April 12, 1975, she married George Caswell in the Norfolk Methodist Church. They were active in square dancing which they continued during their residence in New Hampshire before returning to Canton. The couple were married for 49 years and raised three sons and a daughter.  

Diana’s pride in life was raising and experiencing life with her children and grandchildren. Between balancing work and home life, she always made time to be at her children’s school and sports events and helped her children explore various opportunities in the community such as community sports (soccer, baseball, softball), Boy Scouts, and 4-H. Diana spent many summers enjoying chaperoning 4-H field trips, events, and State Fair excursions. She always had a camera capturing the precious time spent with her children and grandchildren. Diana was a member of AMVETS in Potsdam and TOPS in Canton.  She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, playing cards, and square dancing.

She is survived by her husband George N Caswell of Canton; and her loving children: George A. P. Caswell and his wife Jesse of Sutton, NH, Geoffrey T. P. Caswell of East Syracuse, Geordan N. P. Caswell and his partner Christina of Brasher Falls, and Cassondra G. P. Caswell of Potsdam; her grandchildren Savannah, George Austin, Elizabeth, and Emilia; She is also survived by her five sisters: Debera Stevens, Sandra Demarest, Kathy Barclay, Laura Stevenson, and Cheryl Brown.

Diana will always be remembered as kind, loving, dedicated, nurturing, and an inspirational fighter. She faced multiple obstacles in life and with her health including four open heart surgeries, chronic anemia, and other health complications, but still always fought for more time with her children.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who kept Diana in their thoughts by sending encouraging cards and letters during her stay in multiple hospitals and rehabilitation centers. We would like to extend a special thank you to Sue, Cathy, and Janet who visited and helped to care for Diana when she was able to return home for a brief period of time; as well as Dr. Greg Healy and PromptCare who made it possible for Diana to be home for even a short while with her complicated health condition. We will be forever grateful for the time we were able to spend with her in the comfort of our home. We will never forget and are indebted to you through our hearts. We are also especially grateful to Beth, Amanda, Howard, Mary, Aaron, and the rest of the staff at Oneida Extended Care Facility for your care and support for Diana during her final days.

Calling hours will be Sunday, January 14 from 4:00-7:00 pm at Lawrence Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Canton.  Her funeral service will be Monday, January 15, at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Skip Edie officiating. A Celebration of Life gathering will follow at the Robert J. Freego Amvets 282, Potsdam. Burial will be held in the spring in Beech Plains Cemetery, West Pierrepont. In lieu of flowers, we're celebrating Diana by encouraging all the people in her life to give back and help change others' lives. If you can, please donate blood on her behalf. Memorial donations may also be made in Diana's memory to Robert J. Freego Potsdam Amvets.

Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.lawrencefuneralhome.org