Dr. Diane Baer Wilson

Diane B. Wilson, Ed.D, dancer, professor, health researcher, fashionista, mother, grandmother, fiancée and dear friend to many, passed away from complications after hip fracture surgery on June 7, 2022 in Asheville, North Carolina.

Diane is survived by her beloved daughters Robin (Oakland, CA) and April, April’s partner Kyle Allen, grandson Henry Allen Wilson (all of Asheville, NC), her sister Sue Baer, niece Megan Cruz, great-niece Elizabeth Tenyah (all of Nyack, NY), her devoted fiancé, Don Jordan (Glen Allen, VA), and countless friends.

Diane was born in Flint, MI and moved with her family to Westfield, NJ in high school. A lifelong learner, Diane earned degrees from the University of Delaware, Louisiana State University, and the University of South Carolina. She was dedicated to her education, earning her doctorate while working, caring for two young children, and commuting two hours each way for her coursework.

Diane spent much of her adult life in her favorite place, Charleston, SC, where she raised her daughters and always had room for the fried chicken dinner at Magnolia’s. She loved weekend dancing with friends at the Radisson, and was an active member of the Unitarian Church of Charleston and founder of their Women’s Support Group. Diane moved to Richmond, VA in 2001 for a new job, where she adopted Charlotte the cat, got engaged, and was active in The First Unitarian Universalist Church. She continued dancing in Richmond, with her fiancé at Rigby’s Jig and as a featured dancer in the “Dancing with The Richmond Stars” fundraisers.

Diane’s career was spent as a public health and cancer prevention professor and researcher. She held faculty positions at Louisiana State University, College of Charleston, Medical University of South Carolina, and the Medical College of Virginia. Select awards include: Developing Scholar of the Year Award from the College of Health Professions at MUSC (1995), the Primary Care Policy Fellowship from the US Department of Health and Human Services (1998), and the award for Outstanding Service in the Fight Against Breast Cancer from the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation (2010).

Diane was a member of the Phi Delta Kappa National Honor Society, a Board member for the Primary Care Policy Fellowship Society (99-01), and a Board member for the Oncology Nutrition Practice Group (2001-2003), among numerous other board positions and memberships to professional organizations.

One of the remarkable things about Diane was her ability to make lasting friendships, staying close to her best friend from kindergarten, neighbors, mothers she met at her daughter’s dance classes, former colleagues, and residents and their families while in assisted care. She developed a close connection with a group of women she met in her Richmond church – the “UU Sisters” – and loved spending weekends on the river with her sister-friends.

While the Primary Progressive Aphasia she experienced in the last several years diminished her ability to speak, it never impaired Diane’s sense of humor or ability to charm (and flirt). She endeared herself to her wonderful caregivers and co-residents of Somerby of Mount Pleasant, Harmony at Reynold’s Mountain, and Silverbell Homestead.

Her daughters are grateful for the fact that she never forgot her friends or family and are incredibly proud of how hard she fought her illness.

On her last day, Diane opened her eyes briefly, held hands with April and Robin, and danced with them both.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the PPA Research and Education Fund in the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease at the Northwestern School of Medicine. Mailing address: Mesulam Center’s PPA Research and Education Fund, c/o Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 420 E. Superior Street, 9th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611 If donors wish to make a credit card donation by phone, they may do so by calling 312-503-8933 and referencing the name of whom they are honoring.

One of the things for which Diane will be most remembered is her love of music and dancing. Her daughters have compiled a list of songs that Diane loved and which hold special family memories that they hope you will enjoy when you remember Diane. https://open.spotify.com/user/robinewilson/playlist/3gm650mJX6CCwHMxlxP8Tn.

Memorial services will be held for Dr. Wilson’s friends and family in Richmond, VA, and in Charleston, SC. The first will take place on Saturday, August 6, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1000 Blanton Ave., Richmond, VA 23221. Street parking is available.

A week later on Saturday, August 13, at 10:00 a.m., a service will be held at the Unitarian Church in Charleston, 4 Archdale St., Charleston, SC 29401. Parking is available at the the Queen Street parking garage (93 Queen St) and Majestic Square (corner of Archdale and Market streets). Each cost $1/half hour and accept either cash or credit card. For those who can’t attend in person, the service will be livestreamed at: https://www.charlestonuu.org/nonchurch-event-streaming Note: the link will only be available as the service is happening, as it is not being recorded.