Diane M. Coleman

Friday November 1, 2024.                                        NOTE CALLING HOUR AND SERVICE TIME CHANGE

The family will receive friends, 1 pm -4 pm Sunday November 10, 2024 at New Comer Cremations and Funerals, 6 Empire Blvd. (next to Donut's Delight). A funeral service will begin promptly following visitation at 4 pm.

Diane has been an accomplished person from an early age! Diane, shortly after birth was diagnosed with some form of Muscular Dystrophy. She defied all odds after telling her parents William and Dolores Coleman that she might not live past her teens. Diane went on to Graduate from Loy Norris High School as Valedictorian of her class. She then went on to University of Illinois to continue her studies. While there she lived independently and learned to drive a handicapped equipped van! Her parents were in amazement with all of her accomplishments! But then she continued by moving on to Los Angeles, California and attended UCLA and Graduated with her Law Degree. Then went on to pass the California State Bar. Shortly after, she went on to work for the State of California as a Lawyer for about 12 years. Diane became active in the disability rights movement with the group ADAPT. She was a big advocate in getting lifts on all buses! She was involved in many protests, being arrested many times for the cause.

Then on to Tennessee for ten years and became the Director for the Center for Independent Living. She also continued on with ADAPT and working hard to help get the American with Disability Act passed in Washington DC. Then on to Chicago, Illinois where she continued as Director for the Center for Independent Living. It was there that she connected with her husband Stephen Drake. They stayed there and continued their work for disability rights movement over the next twenty years.

Then in 2008 Stephen and Diane moved to Rochester, NY to be closer to family. In the mid 90's Diane started the non-profit Not Dead Yet and remained President/CEO until her death. She also worked for CDR, Rochester over the years since moving there. Diane was involved in so many things that we can't name them all! She is known throughout the World for her work and dedication for the disabled community.

Diane also had so many interests and hobbies; natures beauty, flower gardens, basking in the sun, knitting, crocheting, puzzles, sudoku, reading, and watching movies, included some of her favorites.

Diane is predeceased by her parents William P. and Dolores M. (nee Ferguson) Coleman, brothers, David G. and Steven J. Coleman, nephew, Joshua A. Coleman and Father -in-law Norman Drake. 

She is survived by her loving husband, Stephen N. Drake, sisters, Denise A. Coleman, and Catherine L. Coleman Morrison, mother-in-law Barbara Drake, sister-in-law Cathy Drake Scarppulls and her husband John Decicca, as well as many nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews.

She will be greatly missed by many. Most of all her husband and family! 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Center for Disability Rights of Rochester in Diane's memory at https://www.cdrnys.org/

To sign Diane's online guest book or to leave the family a condolence, scroll down to the bottom of the page.

To watch the service, live on Sunday at 4pm, go to :https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTczMTIwNDQzOTMzNjMxMCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==