Karen Diana (Diane) Pierce

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them." ~Desmond Tutu~ Karen Diana (Diane) Pierce, 62, of Utica, NY, passed away on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at St. Luke's Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her family. Born in New Hartford, New York, on January 10, 1961, Diane was the daughter of the late John W., Sr. and Thelma (Blackshear) Pierce. Diane was a loving Daughter, Sister, Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, and Friend. Her spirit and her tenacity will always remain in our hearts. Raised and educated in Utica, Diane attended Miller School through Utica Free Academy – ultimately obtaining her GED. In the fall of 1976, Diane met her fiancé, the late Robert Garrett, and from this union, Rashida and Robert Garrett were born. With exemplary bedside manners and a heart for helping others, Diane's kindness, compassion, and gentleness kick started her career in the nursing field. Her natural gift for assisting and serving people was exemplified through her many years of service as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) throughout various nursing settings in Utica. Following the advice of her brother, the late Patrick Pierce, Diane left Utica in 1992 and moved to Albany, NY. Her move was the catalyst for many other family members to relocate from Utica to Albany. Diane continued to work as a CNA in Albany, a vocation that brought her many long-lasting and loving relationships during this career period. Her HUGE personality, larger-than-life demeanor, impeccable sense of humor, and uncanny ability to create formidable relationships contributed significantly to the remarkable life she created for herself and her children in Albany. With an emphasis on family dinners at the table, she nurtured and raised Rashida, Robert, Mariah, Imani, and Toya with love and great pride. Her loving heart made her suitable for this role. Bestowed with an exquisite sense of humor, a smile that would light up a room, and a laugh that could shake any blue sky, Diane loved life! Affectionately called Dolly or Lil Mary, she was known as "The Life of the Party!" She loved having cookouts - showcasing her much-raved-about pasta salad, celebrating and entertaining with friends and family. You could find her sipping "tea" and playing spades at any given get-together. You would always know when the party was "lit," evidenced by her robust "OWWWWWWWWWW" and rhythmic finger-popping to her FAVORITE song, Wifey. More importantly, Diane never met a stranger; once she renamed someone, they became her family! She possessed a pure, loving heart, and no matter the time, place, or reason, she was there for you. Diane's legacy will live on through the love she graciously gave others. Diane is survived by her children, Rashida J. Garrett (Aaron) and Robert W. Garrett (Danielle); great-nieces who are like daughters, Mariah Jackson, and Imani Pierce; a bonus daughter, Toya Rowlett and her Godson Lorenzo Holliman; and her grandchildren, Ava, Zoe, and Ace; Crawford, Robert Garrett Jr., and Kyrie Garrett. Diane adored her grandchildren and loved nothing more than talking to them on the phone and spending time with them. Diane's cherished memories will remain in the hearts of her siblings, John W. Pierce Jr., Patricia Pierce, Peggy & Jose Torres, and Melanie Pierce. Aunt Diane also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Many cousins also survive her. Diane had unique connections with her cousins, Tiffany Farrish, Catherine Wilson, and Cassandra Bradford, whom she held near and dear to her heart and loved talking on the phone to. Diane leaves her special friend, Judy Rowlett; and her lifelong friends, Belinda Holliman, Serena Johnson-Smith, and Yvonne Green. And her long-term aide, Jasmin DeJesus, who became more like family. Diane is predeceased by her parents, John W. and Thelma (Blackshear) Pierce Sr.; maternal grandparents, the Rev. Matthew and Mary (Butts) Blackshear; paternal grandparents, Josh Pierce and Lula Mae Tillery; sister, Carrie Rucker and brothers Donald, Anthony, Ronald, and Patrick. And her fiancé Robert Garrett. The family extends their most profound appreciation and would like to thank the nursing staff at St. Luke's ICU for their caring hearts and efforts. MVHS Dialysis Center, The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Utica, and all the transporters and aides who helped care for Diane so caringly and lovingly. And to all those who also loved and assisted Diane, the Pierce family gives our most sincere THANK YOU! We cannot call the names of everyone, but please know that we sincerely appreciate everything you did for Diane. Visitation will be on Saturday, January 7, 2023, from 10:00 AM -12:00 PM at St. Matthew's Temple COGIC, 110 Washington Street, Utica. Diane's Celebration of Life and Home Going Service will commence immediately upon the conclusion of the calling hours. The repass will be held at the American Legion, 409 Herkimer Road in Utica, from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

Karen Diana (Diane) Pierce

January 10, 1961 - December 20, 2022