Diane E. Stark

Diane Elizabeth (Bobinski) Stark passed away quietly at her home in Riverhead, NY on Thursday, December 29, 2022. She was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, John Douglas Stark.

Survived by her beloved children Barbara Woodhull (George), Diane Marie Stark (Connecticut), John (JD) Douglas Stark Jr. (Jessica), Tracy Stark James (Christopher), and Michelle Stark Hulse (William).

She was very proud of and adored her grandchildren Brittany Woodhull (Halifax, NS), Rachael James (Florida), Lauren (Woodhull) D’Agostino (Cameron), Marisa James, Lindsey Woodhull, Alexandra Hulse, and Dylan James (North Carolina). She is also survived by her long time friend and caretaker Beverly Courtenay.

Diane was the daughter of Albin and Adelaide Bobinski. She was predeceased by her best friend and sister Constance (Bobinski) Pettit with whom she made history crossing the Atlantic at the young age of 19. Their voyage together was the prelude to the many worldly travels she enjoyed with her husband and friends.

A Riverhead High School graduate, Diane went on to receive many accolades at the esteemed Carnegie Melon Institute of Fashion and Design, including a prize winning design in boys apparel. Inspired by her beloved nephew James Slater, she designed and incorporated zippers down the side of trousers, as well as down the shirt, to make it easier for mothers to dress their young boys. Her natural beauty and elegance was also recognized during her college years when she was crowned College Queen of Carnegie Tech’s Spring Carnival.

Dedicating her life to being an extremely devoted mother and wife, Diane’s artistic ability would come to life through her flower arrangements, Asian plantings and crafty costumes. She was an incredible homemaker, party planner and occasional prankster.

Although Doug was her Captain, we know it was Diane that brought the innate fishing skills on board and passed on her insatiable love of the sea to her children. She could be fishing by day and would arrange a classy candle lit dinner on the back of an outboard by night. She was truly a humble soul who exuded an understated elegance.

With a very caring heart, she would never forget a friend’s special occasion. She would have reached 90 years young in February.

In memory of Diane, the family suggests donations to East End Hospice and The National Kidney Foundation.

Services are being held at Tuthill-Mangano Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 3rd from 2-4 and 7-9. A Catholic Mass will be held at Saint Isidore Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday at 11am. Intermittent at St John’s Cemetery.