Diana Biswas

For generations of Woodstock students Mrs. Biswas' smiling face was the first we'd see on campus. That, and the sounds of students practicing in the music cells are an image that to this day are synonymous in my mind with ‘coming home’ – Andy Malhan ’88.

Diana, with her warm compassionate spirit and intent on discerning the best in everyone with whom she was in contact, was always genuinely interested in people. She has been the kind of force for good which every community needs – David Scott, President, WOSA/NA.

Diane was a pillar of strength with a human warmth that touched everyone in the Woodstock family. Her presence will be missed by all who knew her - Vance George, former music teacher.

Diana was a most unusual person, one who was always hard to categorise. The position she occupied at Woodstock was one which appeared insignificant or even dispensable. But Diana's contribution to the Music Department - and indeed to the school as a whole - was of incomparably greater significance – Hugh Bradby, former Principal.

Although she was not a classroom teacher, Diana Biswas probably had more influence on my own career in education than any college professor or role model ever did. Her intuitive awareness of how to treat students is a lesson from which all educators and parents could benefit – Hugh Stoddart ’79.

The thing about Mrs. Biswas was that she could stand at the top of the stairs leading down to the cells and had the uncanny ability to be able to tell exactly who was playing Chopsticks or Heart and Soul instead of practicing scales or assigned pieces…

.. Even now, every time I play Chopsticks or Heart and Soul on the piano there's a little place in the back of my mind that is on the alert to her sudden appearance at my door to tell me to get back to practice – Cynthia Peters ’74.

Diana had the kind of wide-ranging capability one easily took for granted. When it came to hiking, all the negotiations of reserving bungalows, figuring out buses and the general time-table of everything, Diana always just knew how to do it – Barbara Fast, former music teacher.

Diana was a gem, and her radiance will I am sure continue to illuminate our Woodstock family – Ashoke Chatterjee, WOSA/India

The world will be less for the loss of Mrs. Biswas. She didn't ask much out of life, yet gave so much. She didn't manage students, she mothered children. She never demeaned, yet you knew she was in control. She was always a point of light in an unfriendly world – Kathryn Kelly ’70.

There is a poem that likens life and death to a ship setting sail and then disappearing over the horizon out of our sight. The poem goes on: "...just at the moment when someone at my side says, 'There she's gone,' there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, 'There she comes.'" - Ellen Alter