Dear Colleagues,
It is with great sorrow that we inform you that our former UNICEF colleague, Diane Jones, passed away on 12 August 2020 in Washington, D.C.
A national of the USA, Diane joined UNICEF in January 1990 as Information Assistant. In February 1994 she held the position of United Nations Affairs Officers and continued working in the area of UN Affairs until her retirement in October 2011.
Diane was unique and her professionalism, knowledge and judgement were without equal. Added to that was the slight hint of cynicism without which one could not exist in the inter-agency world. She had a wide circle of friends in the diplomatic and UN world. Her friends ranged from ambassadors to delegates, from the SG and the 38th floor to interns on the conference floor, from heads of agencies to JPOs. She was a tireless advocate for children and UNICEF both in New York and at the many global summits that she attended. Colleagues and friends remembered Diane as a very exceptional person who was so much fun, so political and diplomacy smart. She enjoyed so much and navigated so skillfully the intergovernmental work.
Prior to her career in the UN system, Diane held increasingly responsible positions in the United States Congress and on the Presidential Staff in the White House. Following her retirement, Diane served on the Board of Directors of the Shangilia Foundation USA, an NGO that provides quality care, including performing arts and creative activities for vulnerable children.
Diane is survived by her sisters, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, a host of cousins, a goddaughter and a devoted circle of loving friends. Condolences can be sent to her sisters Barbara Redd at barbararedd2@verizon.net and Vivian Harriday at vharriday@verizon.net .
Please join me in sending Diane’s family and friends comfort and strength during this challenging time.
In Sympathy,
Noma Owens-Ibie
GSA Chairperson