Several readers shared the news that Ninth Street resident Diane Maguire died on Saturday. She was 59.
Diane grew up on Sullivan Street and eventually moved to this block between Avenue A and First Avenue. She could be seen on most days sitting outside on her building's stoop with her dog Josie talking to neighbors.
There's an obituary for her here. A cause of death was not disclosed.
Someone left flowers and a poem, titled "Crazy Lady," in the doorway of her building. Said one reader: "She always lit up the neighborhood and talked to everyone who passed by ... usually telling a dirty joke as well, asking what the difference is between sex and snow..."
Thanks to Michelle Simes for the photos and Steven for the reporting.
24 comments:
O.K, what was the snow & sex punchline?
I never even knew Diane's name, and I'm so sorry to hear she passed; I used to talk to her and even lend her money.
I hope her dogs are okay and have been taken in by someone; I also hope someone can tell us the sex and snow punchline!
Xootrman-My wife and I passed by her stoop a couple months ago, and this charming character stopped us to tell us this joke. The answer is you don't know how many inches or how long it will last.RIP Diane, you added "flavor" to the hood.
She told my friend and me a dirty joke once in exchange for walking her dog a big. Wish I could remember the joke . . .
Bummer. She once guessed my height at random as I was passing by. Be damned if I can remember what we talked about that after that but she was a pip. The sketch of the dog is surprisingly accurate too. 59 is too young.
She had the scruffy black dog, right? Does anyone know what happened? I saw her just a few weeks ago.
i caught her bleeding one time as she had a pair of hair clippers in her hand. she had shaved one of her dogs and then decided to shave some of her hair..? something like that.. anyway i liked her and her excitement and she was always very nice and sweet
She will be missed. Always would run into her when parking my car or walking the dog.
I am so sad to hear she died. She was a real character and fun to chat with. Does anyone know if her dog Josie has found a home?
Longtime resident of Ninth Street Diane was not. I have lived on the block for 38 years and Diane had been on the block maybe 4 years max. Personally, I thought the poem was in bad taste. Diane had problems and could be annoying to those of us who had to encounter her daily but to name the poem Crazy Lady " shows little respect to her and those who may have cared about her.
The black dog was Lola, she died about a year ago. Her other dog, Josie the cooker spaniel apparently was brought to a shelter. Diane did have a daughter and I believe a son too.
Diane was my mother and she had 3 daughters and a son as well as two grandchildren. Anyone who knew my mother knew she was a crazy quirky lady, i was not offended by the poem, it was nice someone took the time out to pay their own respects to this crazy lady who indeed was my mom. Also if you don't know of someones background or "problems" please don't comment on them. Whats in bad taste is claiming how it was annoying to encounter her daily, when she was just being friendly it was how she was, and especially at a time when her family wishes they could encounter her again.
The poem may have been written with good intentions, but the execution is definitely in poor taste.
On behalf of Diane's family we appreciate all the kind words. As a resident of the block for 7 years she enjoyed many of those she encountered. Thank you all those who always showed her compassion and kindness. The writer of the poem may have had good intentions, but we would have appreciated a kinder choice of words.
My condolences to her friends and family. I always had fun interactions with her and will miss this lady. I hope her dog finds a good home. If whoever has the dog needs any contributions to help with her care, let us know. People would like to help.
R.I.P Diane :(
Wow. This comment section is intense. If you have nothing good to say, you should look at yourself first. It's information about you first and foremost. RIP Diane XOXO
Awww I will miss chatting with her every week and petting the pup. RIP.
My condolences to her family. I was always comforted by her presence. She was someone who could break me out of my guarded aloofness and get me to look at what is actually happening on the street. For that I appreciated her.
I remember her well. She always said hi to my dog and told me how handsome he was. Any dog lover is okay in my books.
At 2:47 PM, Anonymous said:
The black dog was Lola, she died about a year ago. Her other dog, Josie the cooker spaniel apparently was brought to a shelter.
This bothers me, because if she was taken to the city shelter, she was automatically killed; Animal Care and Control has no room for senior animals with no teeth—Josie had to have all her teeth removed because when Diane got her they were in such bad shape—let alone young, adoptable ones.
Rest In Peace. I lived next door and could always hear her in the mornings talking to people as they past. Greeted me with her Fucking Fridays, and Sorry Saturdays. Her energy will be missed on 9th Street!
Diane was my cousin. We lost touch over the years and I hadn't seen her in about a decade, but I can tell you she was a spunky girl in her youth and a kind woman. I don't think she ever had an unkind word to say about anyone. Josie, the name she gave her dog, was the name of her mother, my Aunt Jo, whom she loved dearly so you can see where her heart was. I just learned of Diane's passing and am sorrowed. She may have had her share of challenges, but she was a good hearted person with a cheery personality. RIP, cousin. You are with your mom and dad now and the rest of our family. To her children (one of you I see is on this blog), I am so sorry for your loss.
“What’s better than roses on a piano?”
“Two lips on your organ! ... Hey, you got a cigarette?”
I lived above Diane for 3 years on 9th St. and could hear her telling this joke every Saturday morning to passerby’s. I moved away a few years ago and returned to the neighborhood recently and buzzed her apartment. When she didn’t answer I asked the neighbors on the first floor and they told me that she had passed.
To her family, I want to say this...
She was my friend and I’m sorry that she is gone. I never met her daughter but I traded notes with you when she was sick once and I looked after Josie and Lola. I met her son once, and it was also during a time when she was sick. She always brought joy to my life and for that I thank her. Rest In Peace, Diane
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