Posted on Facebook by her friend Robin Pike

It is with great sorrow that we bid goodbye to our beloved friend, Diana Fairbanks, gifted athlete, braniac, adventuresome spirit, quiet comic. We will miss her on the water, on the golf course, at the bridge table and at the winery. If you can, please take a few minutes to read about the life of this remarkable woman who lived more lives than the great majority of us lesser souls. Farewell, precious friend.

Diana Fairbanks

October 1, 1947 – December 27, 2024

Diana Fairbanks, age 77, passed away peacefully at home after a courageous battle with cancer.

Diana was born on October 1, 1947, in Glendale, California, to Edith and Guy Fairbanks. Edith was a devoted stay-at-home mother, while Guy worked as an insurance executive and actuary. She grew up alongside her sister, Elizabeth, born in 1950. In 1951, the family relocated to New York City to be near relatives. They initially lived in an apartment until Diana's grandfather, a skilled bridge builder in New York City, constructed a sturdy home for the family in Hartsdale, Westchester County.

When her father’s career took the family to Atlanta, Georgia, they spent about two years there. Due to school segregation and social unrest in the South, Diana and her sister attended a strict Catholic school during her 6th and 7th grades. The family later moved to Needham, Massachusetts, where Diana graduated from high school in 1965. During these years, she joined the sorority Tau Phi Gamma and helped local seniors by visiting and shopping for them. Diana went on to attend Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts, initially studying mathematics but ultimately earning a degree in art history in 1969. After college, she worked for an architect in Cambridge, drafting library plans—a role that blended her love for mathematics and art.

In a decision determined by the toss of a coin, Diana and Elizabeth moved to California, settling in the Belvedere Lagoon area near Sausalito. They shared a luxurious home with their friend Tom Ferguson, unbeknownst to Tom’s parents, the property owners. Diana and Elizabeth co-founded a typesetting business called Fairbanks Parker, with their first project being a cookbook for the San Francisco Chronicle’s book division. Over the years, they contributed to notable works, including the Whole Earth Catalog and the Co-Evolution Quarterly.

Seeking a simpler life, Diana moved to Covelo in Mendocino County in 1977. She lived in a rustic, wood-heated cabin surrounded by sheep. During this time, she worked as a production manager for a publishing company. In the 1980s, Diana and her partner, Linda, relocated to Fort Jones, where they lived in a trailer while building their own barn-house combination. Together, they raised approximately thirty llamas, which they sold as pack animals and pets.

By the mid-1980s, Diana had moved to Ashland, Oregon, where she took on various office jobs and later pursued carpentry. In her late 50s, she earned a degree in accounting from Southern Oregon University and began a successful career as a freelance accountant, continuing this work until her passing.

An adventurous spirit, Diana embarked on a solo cycling trip from southern England to northern Scotland in 1984. She also loved backpacking in Yosemite, the Marble Mountains, and the Trinity Alps. In 2001, she became an early member of the Ashland Rowing Club (now Rogue Rowing). She competed in numerous regattas, earning many medals, including several with the Women’s Eight—a cherished group of friends who remained close throughout her life.

Diana’s passion for golf began in her youth, though she initially faced barriers as girls were not allowed to play at her local course. She rediscovered the sport as an adult, joining the Rose Club League at Centennial Golf Course, where she achieved a hole-in-one. She cherished the game’s challenges, camaraderie, and scenic beauty.

Diana also enjoyed playing bridge and was a dedicated member of two regular bridge groups, one of which met twice weekly for many years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she embraced online platforms to continue playing. Her dry wit and sharp humor will be deeply missed by her bridge partners.

In addition to her many hobbies, Diana sang with the Women with Wings choir, skied both downhill and cross-country, and was an avid reader.

Diana is survived by her sister, Elizabeth; three nieces, Jennifer, Lindsay, and Annika; and one nephew, Max. She is also survived by eight grand-nieces and grand-nephews, whom she adored. She leaves behind a legacy of strength, independence, creativity, and kindness that will be fondly remembered by her family and wide circle of friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Diana’s name to Shriners Children’s Hospital in San Francisco or a charity of your choice.

Diana was a remarkable individual—strong, capable, artistic, and endlessly creative. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.