ANCOR is deeply saddened by the passing of former liaison and consultant, Diane McComb. Diane’s career in service to people with disabilities began when she was 24-years-old, as the Executive Director of the Caroline Center, in Caroline County, Maryland. Throughout her several decades in the field, she championed the rights of people with disabilities to be included in all aspects of life and community. Diane didn’t stop there, she continued to look for ways to make a difference, and eventually found herself working closely with ANCOR.
During her many years working alongside staff at ANCOR, Diane shaped our State Association Executives Forum—a major component of the ANCOR network that provides state association executives a community, and helps elevate their voice.
Even in her well-earned retirement, Diane continued to support ANCOR’s mission by helping to lead our grant work with Puerto Rico, aimed at strengthening the provider network in the U.S. Territory.
“I can’t express enough what an incredible human being [Diane] is,” wrote ANCOR CEO Barbara Merrill, “she personifies person-centeredness. So much so that Diane was inducted into the ANCOR Foundation’s Legacy Leaders Circle in 2015, and in honor of her work, ANCOR’s Association Executive Star Award was named the Diane McComb Association Executive Star Award. “Diane’s dedication to improving the lives of people with disabilities has inspired so many of us,” Barbara wrote in remembrance, “grounding us, supporting us, and making us laugh when times are tough.”
ANCOR COO & Foundation Director, Gabrielle Sedor, recalled Diane’s welcoming nature and eagerness to do the work. “When I was a young professional, Diane welcomed me with warm and open arms. Being able to work and collaborate with her on various projects has been a highlight of my career.”
Longtime ANCOR member and former Board President, Robert Budd, said, “Diane‘s passion and loving way will continue to inspire our field, our agency, and me personally, for generations to come.”
Former State Association Executive and longtime ANCOR member, Ann Hardiman, recalled, “Diane was the most dedicated person I know. Devoted really. To her work and people with disabilities, to her family, friends and colleagues. The powerful and positive light of Diane will stay with us, but we will miss her so much in our world.”
The last line of Diane’s obituary sums up a lifetime of service, and her infinite heart: ‘She leaves us with one charge – to be kind and compassionate with one another.’
A memorial service to honor the memory of Diane will be held Saturday, June 27 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, in Annapolis, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to Compass Hospice, Friends of Queen Anne’s County Library, Rebuilding Together Eastern Shore, Chesterwye Center, FREE of Maryland, Qlarant Foundation, Main Street Housing, or The Ceramics Studio at the Academy of the Arts.