Diane (DeSerras) Arenella's Obituary
Diane (DeSerras) Arenella, 86, mother, grandmother, real estate investor and involved South End resident, passed away peacefully at home on March 18, 2025, surrounded by her children. Born on October 25, 1938, in Syracuse, NY, Diane lived a life focused on family, community and travel.
Growing up in upstate New York with her parents and three sisters, Diane graduated from Nottingham High School in 1956. Next, she pursued her passions for science and teaching at Russell Sage College in Albany, NY, graduating in 1960 with a degree in biology, chemistry and education.
Diane’s quest for knowledge then led her to work as a research assistant in Boston University Medical School’s neuropsychology department from 1960 to 1967. There, she worked with animal models in a laboratory to advance knowledge of the human brain.
Driving from her home in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood to the laboratory each day, Diane marveled at the South End’s beautiful architecture and neighborhoods on her way through—leading her to buy a home there in 1966. This love of the South End was a theme that would carry throughout her life.
In the 1970s, Diane worked as a broker for Betty Gibson, founder of a South End real estate brokerage that later became Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty. Diane shared her employer’s great pride in championing not only the South End but also the growth of Boston as a whole.
While raising her own family, she lived in West Newton for many years but in 2004 returned to her beloved South End.
Throughout her life, in addition to investing in real estate, Diane enjoyed serving her community. In a nod to her ethnic heritage, she served on the advisory board of the Cambridge, MA, Greek Institute, which celebrates Greek culture, achievements and language.
In addition, Diane served as a board member and fundraiser for The Children’s Art Centre, the first public fine arts museum designed exclusively for children. She also was an early member of the South End Neighborhood Association and a board member of the Small Property Owners Association.
Later in life, Diane split her residency between Boston and Williams Island, Florida. She also explored her passion for world travel, where she joyfully participated in multi-week group tours of countries including Thailand, Nepal, India, Indonesia, Turkey, Greece, Italy, and others.
Diane leaves her beloved daughter Gabrielle Eleni Arenella, son Alexis Peter Arenella, granddaughters Sophia Goode and Carmen Lee Arenella, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Helen Zahas DeSerras and Charles (Seremetis) DeSerras, her sisters Dorothy Potamianos, Alice Bonaparte, Jean Palmer, and her former husband, Ferdinand Peter Arenella.
Private funeral services entrusted to THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME.
In lieu of flowers, her family requests that family and friends consider a donation to St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 15 Union Park Street, Boston 02118 or The Boston Foundation, 75 Arlington Street, Boston 02116.
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