Diana L. Macfarland

Diana Lynn MacFarland, 70, of Niskayuna, passed away at home surrounded by her loved ones on August 20, 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer. Her legacy is one of perseverance, grace, and unwavering commitment to her family.

Diana grew up in Delmar, NY and met her beloved husband of 53 years, who was in awe of her beauty at first sight, while she attended and graduated from Bethlehem High School. In alignment with making everything around her more beautiful, Diana attended Austin Beauty School where she obtained a license in Cosmetology.

As mentioned, Diana had a gift for beautifying all, and she did so from her perfectly kept home to the way she raised her siblings and children with such devotion and care. She valued her family more than anything and found ways to bring joy and laughter to a life shaped by early hardships.

Through the years she cared for her children and worked many odd-hour jobs to ensure her family didn’t go without. Whether it was overnight waitressing, childcare or retail jobs on the weekend, she was always ensuring she and her husband could support their family independently. As her children grew, she invested in a career of lending and risk. She was an underwriting manager at CUC Mortgage and retired from MetLife handling claims for homeowners. Not only was she able to successfully provide for her family throughout her career, but she creatively utilized her many roles to ensure her family was supported in every way possible; this included securing Cabbage Patch Kids and He-Man Toys during the 80’s craze, education on mortgage loans to help her adult children purchase their first homes, and preventative insurance measures-which was especially helpful when her daughter believed she needed a new washer, but Diana knew her pipes were probably frozen.

With the birth of her first grandchild, Diana’s identity changed from wife and mother to GiGi overnight, so much so that everyone referred to her as GiGi from that point on. For someone who worked so hard throughout her life, she embraced the role of GiGi like no other. Her grandkids, or as she called them, her “Beasties,” were her pride and joy and she theirs. Twenty-four years ago, GiGi began the tradition of spending every Wednesday night with her first grandchild, creating the beloved “GiGi Night.” As time went on and her family grew, so did this tradition. Twenty-four years later, GiGi still hadn’t missed an award night, a sporting event, or anything special her “Beasties” were doing. She couldn’t go more than a few days without taking them to the movies, amusement parks, go Karts, or just having them over. She made everyone’s birthday and holidays special. GiGi made unforgettable meals, took the grandkids shopping to pick out whatever they wanted and went over the top for milestone birthdays and anniversaries. She loved nothing more than a big party with fun, music and family.

Diana would always say to her children, “You get what you give.” She gave the most and spent her life sacrificing her own necessities and comforts to ensure her husband, children and grandchildren didn’t go without. She had an arduous beginning and end, but Diana sure made the middle something amazing.  Her family knows she is floating around on a dust bunny-free cloud watching over her family and friends, and she will continue to inspire them every day.

Diana was predeceased by her mother, Madeline Craft. She is survived by her father, Barry Levine, devoted husband of 53 years, Paul MacFarland, daughter Patrice (Chuck) McElrath, son Michael (Kara) MacFarland, sisters Janice (Joe) Siniski, Kim (Pete) Landauer, Tracy Amsden, brothers Butch (Laurie) Levine, Bill (Libbie) Craft, Brian (Stacie) Craft, Kevin (Connie) Craft, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She is the cherished GiGi of Daniel and Michael McElrath, and Michael, Noah, and Briella MacFarland, who will all miss her dearly.

Diana’s immediate family would like to express their immense gratitude to her selfless sisters Janice Siniski and Tracy Amsden through Diana’s several month battle. Words cannot express the impact of their devotion. Also, thank you to Butch and Laurie Levine and Libbie Craft who helped her family with coverage, love and compassion while she was in the hospital. Last, thank you to her amazing caretakers, Holly Nash, Staci Coley, Carrie Shilling, Carmen Gonzalez and Kailey Batista who made it possible to bring Diana home with grace and comfort.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Diana’s family on Sunday August 25, 2024 from 1PM to 4PM at Cannon Funeral Home. A service of remembrance will commence at 4PM at the funeral home.

In keeping with Diana’s wishes please consider memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s  Research Hospital, (www.St.Jude.org). To leave a message of condolence for family, visit www.CannonFuneral.com