Obituary for Diana S. Mulligan
Diana S. Mulligan, 77, of Wyomissing, died on July 10, 2020. She is survived by her husband of fifty-three years, Francis Martin Mulligan; her daughters, Sarah Mulligan, wife of Christopher O’ Donnell, of New York City, and Abigail Ruth Mulligan, wife of George Danenhauer, of Westfield, New Jersey; her grandchildren, Margaret Honoria Danenhauer, and George Alexander Danenhauer; a brother, Gerald Slapkus of Seven Hills, Georgia; and a sister, Cynthia Neidlinger of Mechanicsville, Virginia, along with numerous nephews and nieces.
Diana was born on December 13, 1942 in Kearny, New Jersey. Her parents, Mary Rudaitis Slapkus and Adam Slapkus, returned to their hometown of New Philadelphia in Schuylkill County, PA after Adam entered the Army during World War II. Diana graduated from Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville, PA and Holy Family College in Philadelphia, which she attended on an academic scholarship. She formed a close circle of friends at Holy Family, who have continued to meet yearly at a celebration they call “Christmas Rose”.
Diana met her future husband, Frank, at a dean’s reception while both were attending Temple Law School. They became engaged while watching the classic film “White Christmas” with marriage following several months later, on May 27, 1967. Frank and Diana shared a deep and abiding love based on mutual respect, loyalty, and faith.
After marriage, Diana and Frank relocated to the Reading area. They made their home in Wyomissing where they raised their family. Diana was a devoted and loving mother to Sarah and Abigail. She read her daughters countless stories when they were young, organized summer vacations to destinations across America, and ferried them to practices, exams, airports, and interviews. She took great pride in her daughters’ academic, professional, and personal accomplishments. Later, when her grandchildren were born, her life was renewed. Margaret and Alex brought her a joy that was palpable to all who knew her.
In her professional life, Diana worked for the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board as a hearing examiner. Beginning in the early 1980s, she worked as a labor arbitrator and fact-finder, deciding cases in Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., and many other states and writing her final opinion in February 2020. Diana also taught courses at Alvernia University and Albright College in labor relations.
Diana believed in being a strong support not only for her family but for her community. She had been a board member of the Greater Berks Food Bank and the Friends of the Reading Museum. She was also a supporter of Mary’s Shelter in Reading.
Diana and Frank enjoyed traveling the globe together and, in later years, taking Caribbean cruises with three generations of family. She also enjoyed cooking, gardening, needlework, and cards.
Diana began her faith journey at Sacred Heart parish in New Philadelphia and continued as a parishioner at Sacred Heart parish in West Reading.
Diana was dearly loved and will be deeply missed. Her family takes comfort in the wonderful memories of their time with Diana.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at on Monday, July 20, 2020, at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart R.C.C., West Reading. Burial will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery. Friends and family may call Sunday, July 19, from 5 until 7 PM at the Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc, 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading. The family respectfully requests that masks be worn and that social distancing and other COVID-19 precaution procedures be followed.
Condolences, tributes, and fond memories may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.
Diana was born on December 13, 1942 in Kearny, New Jersey. Her parents, Mary Rudaitis Slapkus and Adam Slapkus, returned to their hometown of New Philadelphia in Schuylkill County, PA after Adam entered the Army during World War II. Diana graduated from Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville, PA and Holy Family College in Philadelphia, which she attended on an academic scholarship. She formed a close circle of friends at Holy Family, who have continued to meet yearly at a celebration they call “Christmas Rose”.
Diana met her future husband, Frank, at a dean’s reception while both were attending Temple Law School. They became engaged while watching the classic film “White Christmas” with marriage following several months later, on May 27, 1967. Frank and Diana shared a deep and abiding love based on mutual respect, loyalty, and faith.
After marriage, Diana and Frank relocated to the Reading area. They made their home in Wyomissing where they raised their family. Diana was a devoted and loving mother to Sarah and Abigail. She read her daughters countless stories when they were young, organized summer vacations to destinations across America, and ferried them to practices, exams, airports, and interviews. She took great pride in her daughters’ academic, professional, and personal accomplishments. Later, when her grandchildren were born, her life was renewed. Margaret and Alex brought her a joy that was palpable to all who knew her.
In her professional life, Diana worked for the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board as a hearing examiner. Beginning in the early 1980s, she worked as a labor arbitrator and fact-finder, deciding cases in Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., and many other states and writing her final opinion in February 2020. Diana also taught courses at Alvernia University and Albright College in labor relations.
Diana believed in being a strong support not only for her family but for her community. She had been a board member of the Greater Berks Food Bank and the Friends of the Reading Museum. She was also a supporter of Mary’s Shelter in Reading.
Diana and Frank enjoyed traveling the globe together and, in later years, taking Caribbean cruises with three generations of family. She also enjoyed cooking, gardening, needlework, and cards.
Diana began her faith journey at Sacred Heart parish in New Philadelphia and continued as a parishioner at Sacred Heart parish in West Reading.
Diana was dearly loved and will be deeply missed. Her family takes comfort in the wonderful memories of their time with Diana.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at on Monday, July 20, 2020, at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart R.C.C., West Reading. Burial will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery. Friends and family may call Sunday, July 19, from 5 until 7 PM at the Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc, 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading. The family respectfully requests that masks be worn and that social distancing and other COVID-19 precaution procedures be followed.
Condolences, tributes, and fond memories may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.