January 3, 2022
Diane W. Saleski, 91, of Hingham, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 26, 2021 after a brief illness. Born in Vincennes, IN, Diane was the daughter of Helen (Watson) and Russell Wolf. She was pre-deceased by her husband Kenneth Saleski, son Douglas Saleski, and sister Gail Garcia. Diane moved regularly at a young age as her father advanced in a large international construction company before settling and growing up in the New York/New Jersey area. Along the way she was joined by three sisters and she cherished the role of being big sister to them all. Throughout her life, she was especially close with her sisters and their families despite long distances between them.
She met her husband Ken while attending Ohio Wesleyan University. They were married in 1955 and eventually settled in Cohasset MA where they raised their three children and established many close friends over thirty years. Ken, her husband of 65 years who passed in 2020, was truly the love of her life and they were virtually inseparable.
Diane relished the role of homemaker for her family and as the kids got older she worked at the office at Cohasset High School. Realizing there were no long-term housing opportunities for special-needs adults locally, Diane worked tirelessly to lobby state agencies and organize other families with similar situations to establish a group home in Weymouth. Expertly managed today by Toward Independent Learning and Living (TILL, Inc ), this has been a safe, supportive home for Nancy for 30 years. She also enjoyed playing bridge with friends from Cohasset for many years and again while living at Linden Ponds. Affectionately known as “Mimi” to her grandchildren, Diane was a fixture at their countless school and sports events and thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent at a pool, gym or rink.
Diane is survived by her sisters, Judy and husband Mike Picardi of Williamsburg VA, Mary Kay and husband Bill Walker of Minneapolis MN, son Stephen and wife Lauren of Hingham MA, daughter Nancy of Weymouth MA, and daughter-in-law Kathryn Saleski of Bluffton, SC, five grandchildren, Jennifer Brooks (and husband Mike), Lea, Katherine, Kristin and Michael Saleski and great grandchild Samantha Brooks.
Diane and Ken moved into Linden Ponds several years ago and enjoyed all the new friends they made there. Diane was very thankful for the special care she was provided during her last year at Rose Court.
Burial services will be private and the family plans to hold a funeral mass and celebration of life ceremony in the spring for both Diane and Ken. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Diane’s memory to TILL, Inc. (Toward Independent Living and Learning – tillinc.org), or the charity of your choice.