Diana (Whear) Staples, 55, Beloved Wife and Mother: Obituary

Diana Staples, 55, beloved wife of Geoffrey Staples, passed away comfortably at home, with her husband and daughter by her side, following a courageous battle with COPD, on December 31, 2020.

Born in Salem, MA on June 13, 1965, Diana was the youngest child of Roberta and Roger Whear. She was raised in Marblehead where she spent her childhood, made lifelong friends, and met her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Geoffrey. Together they built a life and family with three beautiful children.

Diana had a green thumb and loved gardening. Although it was “work”, it was her Oasis, especially at the House of Seven Gables. Additionally, Diana had a special place in her heart for the special needs population. She worked at Salem High School as a paraprofessional in the Special Education Department and volunteered extra time at the Northeast Arc and Best Buddies events. The staff she worked with became great friends and the students she worked with became her own kids. Diana also made great friends and memories at the Lyceum where she was a longtime employee.

Despite her hectic schedule, family and friends were Diana’s passion and greatest pleasure. Whether it was Christmas, a birthday, a visit from friends or family, or going on vacation to Maine every summer, no matter what the occasion, Diana always treasured spending time with the people she loved. She made sure she was at every one of her kids’ sporting events with a cold water or Gatorade, and that her children had the best life she and Geoff could give them. She was always the first to offer help and ensured that every child and visitor who crossed her threshold was safe, healthy, and happy.

Loved ones that cleared the path for Diana were her father Roger and mother Roberta. Loved ones that will miss Diana until they meet again are her husband of 35 years, Geoffrey Staples and their three children: Derek and his partner Emily Barnes of Beverly; Megan, her husband Jeff and their son Jaxson Chane of Hampstead, and Nathan and his wife Sarah of Shrewsbury. Siblings; Bobby Whear and his wife Sherry, Deborah Fox and her husband Bernard; Bruce Whear and his wife Heidi, and Gary Whear and his wife Linnea; her nieces and nephews, extended family, close friends, her good friend Connor and companion BB.

Diana was a wonderful woman that was loved, is missed, and will forever be cherished. She was an amazing wife, mother, daughter, sister, and “Nana”. Her husband always told her, “you are an angel without wings”. When Diana could no longer help others, she was officially given her wings to look over everyone she loved and cared for.

Those who knew Diana knew she would rather give then receive. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Northeast Arc. The family of Diana asks that everyone celebrate her life by spreading kindness: Call a friend or relative you haven’t spoken to recently; Volunteer somewhere; Forgive someone. No act of kindness is too small.