Capaldo, Diane Maureen - 1955-2012

CAPALDO, JENKINS, MAHONEY, MILLER

Posted By: Polk volunteer
Date: 8/2/2024 at 15:47:26

Diane Maureen Capaldo, loving and cherished mother, grandmother, sister, and friend died Monday, November 12, 2012 at home under the watchful protection of her children Isabel and Matt. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, November 15, followed by a vigil at 7 p.m. at Caldwell-Raddatz, 8201 Hickman Rd., Urbandale, Iowa. Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday November 16, at 10 a.m. at St. Augustin Catholic Church, 545 42nd Street, Des Moines.
Diane was born to Charles F. and Isabel C. Capaldo on the 28, of March, 1955, the first of three children. She grew up in West Des Moines and graduated from Valley High in 1973. Diane began her 30 plus years in nursing and health care by earning a nursing degree in 1982 from Mercy School of Nursing. A day of pride for her mom and dad. Later in life she refined her talents and transitioned from nursing to healthcare clinical systems consultant work and in 2007 earned her Masters of Health Care Administration from Des Moines University Osteopathic College of Health Sciences. Diane was also past President of the Iowa Chapter of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).
Sacrifice, adventure, and reward marked Diane's life and inspired her family and friends. As a young divorced mother, she raised two strong and loving children (Izzy and Matt) while attending nursing school and stepping off into her nursing career at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. But sacrifice early on led to later adventures for her and her children and the reward of travel for work. One such highlight was her assignment to Rome, Italy; accompanied by her two small children, they visited several countries in Europe.
While the demands of work and raising children continued, new sacrifices of caring for her parents emerged. Diane lovingly and patiently helped her mom care for her dad during his battle with cancer and more recently cared for mom herself during the onset and progression of dementia. Diane's clinical experience and nursing know-how were invaluable and comforting to all of her family in those trying days.
But Diane's life was rewarded with great joy, too. She loved the coming of spring and the planning, planting, and cultivating of her numerous gardens over the years. She loved also, her grandkids. Happiness and excitement enveloped her as she transitioned from mom to grandma. Four grandchildren, Nate, Luke, Owen, and Camryn became the new focal point in her life. Maternal as ever, Diane relished the time spent with her grandkids and listening for the patter of their small feet in the kitchen and their excited shouts and calls throughout her home.
Being a child of transplanted New Yorkers meant also a love and joy for the shore, the New Jersey Shore. As many summers as were possible were spent at Seaside Park, enjoying time with family, uncles, aunts, and cousins, soaking up the sun, the spray from crashing ocean waves, as well as hunkering down for the occasional passing tropical storm, earthquake, and hurricane.
Diane is survived by her two children Izzy (Aaron) Miller of Port Byron, IL and Matthew (Erin) Jenkins of Ankeny, Iowa; her four grandchildren; brothers Chuck and Louis Capaldo both of Des Moines, her Uncle Robert (Carol) Mahoney, and several cousins. She is also remembered not only by family, but by her lifelong Mercy pals Sue, Sara, and Paula, whose reservoir of love, care, and comfort will never be forgotten; and by her loving work family at Encore Health Resources.
Diane's family would like to thank all the medical providers involved in her care beginning with doctors and nurses at the UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; in Des Moines, the staff of Iowa Methodist, John Stoddard Radiology Oncology, Drs. Eric Holm, Robert Kerr, Robert Goebel, and Thomas Buroker, the staff at Deerfield Assisted Living, Mary and Jodi, nurses at Iowa Health Hospice, and Wesley Home Health Aides.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and St. Augustin's Catholic Church. Online condolences may be left at caldwellraddatz.com
While something beautiful has vanished, her family and friends will keep her forever.
Published In Des Moines (Ia) Register; Thursday, November 15, 2012, Page 6b