Shortly after arriving in New York as a South African correspondent for Argus Newspapers 45 years ago, I was soon introduced to Di, one of the best- known South Africans then working at the United Nations.
We became good friends and the loft at La Guardia Place, filled with fascinating people, cats and birds and that legendary piano of Dollar Brand’s, became a favorite hangout.
Fourteen years older, she was also a sister and a mentor.
When in 1980 my brother Simon and his wife Shayne (recently arrived from SA) and my then husband Chris Lupton and I all moved out of the city and together bought a farm in Warwick, upstate, Di came to check the place out. She fell in love with the area and bought a large abandoned barn.
Where was it? Right across the road from our farm. We remained close in every way. She did massive renovations and when my sister Lou arrived from South Africa she rented a room right there.
Di’s cousin Mike Lamb moved into the barn and became one of all my family’s closest chums.
When I had my son David in 1985, Di became his God Mother. We all remained close for many years.
When I left my husband Chris and married Don da Parma, Di was very disapproving – but eventually re-embraced me.
My friendship with Di was my longest and the most important to me since I moved to the US. I will never forget the heart, warmth, wit, wisdom and character she brought to my life, and the lives of my family.