Diane Marie Borzych was a loving and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, godmother, sister and friend. We celebrate her life, a life that ended much too soon on July 26, 2024.

Diane was born to Stephen and Regina Shinkus on November 16, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois. She was a big sister to Steve, and the two of them, including Steve's future wife, Rosemary Shinkus (Bazant), would remain close throughout their lives.

Diane met her husband, Richard, while working a clerical role at the Post Office. Their ensuing successful marriage of almost sixty years, their two surviving children, Rich and Robert, their grandson Scott, and their great granddaughters Blake & Reagan can all be traced back to a chance encounter when a charming young man sat down to lunch beside her and asked her on a date.

The new family eventually relocated from Chicago to San Diego in the early 1980's. Once settled, Diane went back to school and became a Registered Nurse. She would work more than 25 years at Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside, providing care and compassion to patients in the Med Surge, Oncology and Telemetry units.

Diane exuded style and grace and was always dressed to perfection. Her wardrobe was cultivated from her love to shop, and not just for herself. She would spend hours looking for the perfect gifts for friends and family. Presented in beautifully wrapped packages, each gift would usually be accompanied with a tale of its acquisition. She loved stories, she loved to talk, and she loved to laugh loudly. She was also enthusiastic about collecting jewelry, dolls and scouring Pinterest for recipes she hoped to try. Later in life, she loved to travel, with Italy being a particular favorite destination.

Over the years, Diane faced her share of personal losses and health setbacks, but she never let those define her. She was a formidable believer in people's good nature, and often enjoyed striking up conversations with strangers. That love of communication was prematurely impacted by her diagnosis of Alzheimer's, which unfortunately targeted her language abilities. Diane had to settle instead on being very good listener. Yet in that pivot, she never wavered, openly complained, or showed weakness.... and in that, she became our teacher in how not to give in to adversity.

Diane used to jokingly say "when it's your time, it's your time," and cut short though it may have been, her time with us will forever be cherished.

The Borzych family will be holding a wake on Thursday, August 8th from 5pm to 8pm at Poway Bernardo Mortuary located at 13243 Poway Road in Poway, CA 92064.  A 10 am funeral mass will be held on Friday, August 9th St. Gabriel Catholic Church 13734 Twin Peaks Rd, Poway, CA 92064, preceded by an optional rosary service at 9:15.

Immediately following the mass service, friends and family may gather on the St. Gabriel campus for a more informal reception to share stores and remember Diane.

There will be a 1pm hosted lunch at a nearby restaurant for anyone who wishes to attend. Details will be provided at the wake and funeral services.

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting The Alzheimer's Association at https://act.alz.org