Diana Gawen Harris

Diana Gawen Harris, 77, passed away in her sleep at Brookdale Senior Living in Hillsborough, NC, on May 26, 2023, after a long battle with early-onset dementia.

She was born January 22, 1946, in Arlington, Va., the daughter of the late Perry F. Gawen, Sr., and Margaret Rice Gawen. Diana was raised there until she attended the University of Kentucky in Lexington, where she earned a B.A. in Education. In addition to raising three children in Wrightsville Beach, NC, Diana found meaningful work in Illinois at Health for Humanity and the Baha’i National Center, which is the administrative center of the Baha'i Faith in the U.S., the principles of which defined her life. Among those were her dedication to world peace and the concept of one human race, not divided by outward differences. Her love for these was most evidenced by her marching with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and in the rainbow of faces of those who were fortunate to make up her family. Diana had a special gift of making, not only them, but everyone around her, feel truly loved - and she loved them fiercely. She, truly, never met a stranger.

Among those Diana leaves behind are husband Joe Nickell of Buffalo, NY; daughters Cherie Roycroft, Daria (Farzin) Barazandeh, and Jaleh DeChesere; son Scott (Anice, Jackie Bell) DeChesere (decd.); brother Perry F. (Joy) Gawen, Jr.; sister Lois (Sherwood) Thompson; as well as 14 grandchildren, including Chase, Tyner, Alexis, Vahid, Leyla, Leila, Maya, Ayden, Zion, Brieanna, Gabriella, Eliana, Margaret, and Ethan; as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. Diana also leaves behind one great-granddaughter, Rosalina Diana Mae.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, May 31st, at 11 a.m., at Historic Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh, NC, where her family will welcome - with both deep sadness and profound joy - all wishing to celebrate her life.