Mary C. DiViggiano 1948-2006

AMELON, KASPER, DIVIGGIANO

Posted By: michael (email)
Date: 7/10/2006 at 11:45:31

Mary C. DiViggiano (nee Kasper) 58, of Cathedral City, CA., formerly of Palos Park, IL. and Iowa City, IA., died Saturday, July 8, 2006 in the arms of her beloved husband John after an 18 year battle with cancer.

Visitation will be 2:00 to 8:00pm, Thursday, July 13, at Lensing Funeral Home, Iowa City, IA., 2:00 to 8:00pm. A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, July 14, 10:00am at the Monson Barn, Iowa City. The family will gather at Lensing’s on Friday Morning to drive to the Monson Barn. Donations may be made to the Lymphoma Research Foundation in Mary’s name at www.lymphoma.org and to Friends of St. Bridget’s Church at Nolan Settlement.

She was born May 5, 1948 to Joseph and Amelia Kasper of rural Solon, IA. Her early years were spent on the family farm where she grew to love the natural world around her. Schooled at West Branch High School and a graduate of the University of Iowa, she entered the travel business and managed the Towncrest office of AAA Travel for many years.

In the early 1970’s Mary embarked on a three month solo trip around the world, but that was only the beginning. Her travel career took her to many exotic places and she rode everything from an elephant in Nepal to the Concorde. She met her beloved husband John in 1980 and it was love at first sight. They were married May 17, 1986 and lived in Palos Park, IL. Mary left the travel industry in 1992 to pursue a business career as owner of The Maids of Oak Lawn, IL.

Mary’s siblings are Phyllis Jacobsen of West Branch, Jane Jones of Iowa City, and Carolyn Hanssen of Rade, Norway. She was blessed with seven nieces and nephews, with whom she shared a special bond. Mary and John sold their business in 1998 and live full time in a motorhome, traveling the country in the summertime and wintering near Palm Springs, CA.

An accomplished business woman, world traveler, history buff, and lover of classical music and opera, Mary viewed every day as a precious gift which was worth living despite the challenges of a life-threatening disease. She saw beauty in everything and every person, treating everyone with respect and dignity. Her life was a voyage of discovery and through her world travels and love of history, she never stopped expanding her horizons.

On-line condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com