Diana Marcela Gaitán Diaz de Gonya
Hierba mala no muere.
Obituary
Diana Marcela Gaitán Diaz de Gonya
10/20/1943 – 12/29/2025
Diana Gonya, a mother, wife, and business owner, passed away in Toledo, Ohio at the age of 82. As was the custom within her native Colombian heritage, she was known as Diana Marcela by her family and affectionately known as “Negra” by her sisters and “Tia Nana” by her many nieces and nephews. Diana Marcela was born in Ibagué, Colombia on October 20th, 1943, the daughter of Vicente Gaitán Rondon and Tulia Díaz Arturo de Gaitán.
Diana Marcela always followed her dreams and ambitions. She was full of energy, ideas, and stories. She loved to network and socialize, dance and tell funny stories. She would often light up a room with her smile, and she was usually the first one on the dance floor.
Her real love was her family.
In her native Colombia, Diana Marcela met Gary Joseph Gonya, from Fremont, Ohio. Gary Joseph was a Peace Corps volunteer in Colombia during the late 1960’s. After a brief courtship, they were married on August 24, 1968, in Bogotá, Colombia by Pope Paul VI as part of a large-scale public ceremony where 24 couples were married. Diana Marcela and Gary Joseph subsequently moved to the United States where their three sons, Gary Edward, Gary Andrew, and Christopher Gary were born.
Throughout her life, beginning in the 1970’s, Diana Marcela was able to help her immediate family immigrate to the United States and gain citizenship. She took great pride in this effort. Her parents moved to Toledo, Ohio in 1975 and her three sisters, Marta Lucia (“Toto”), Maria Magdalena (“Maggie”), and Maria Margarita (“Tita”), along with their families, moved to Ohio and Florida in the 1980s.
In both Fremont and Toledo, Ohio, Diana Marcela was known as a business owner who pursued many lines of business, including retail sales, dry goods importing, and insurance brokerage. Later in life she returned to her native Colombia to open restaurants in Medellín and Cartagena. Diana Marcela loved to cook food, host meals, and have a good time. Her days were lively and spirited. Her capacity for affection was deep.
Over the last 20 years, Diana Marcela and her husband Gary Joseph were able to spend significant time with their six grandchildren. They relocated to New York City and then Toledo, Ohio to be closer to them. In her final years, tireless as ever, Diana Marcela was fond of walking, exploring, and making people smile along the way.
She is survived by her husband, Gary Joseph; her sons, Gary Edward (wife Mariana Bernoski) of Toledo, Ohio, Gary Andrew (wife Chantal Kordula) of Brooklyn, NY, and Christopher Gary (wife Katie O’Neill) of Las Vegas, NV; her grandchildren, Bianca, Carter, Luna, Dempsey, Genevieve, and Vivienne; and her sisters Marta Lucia Bellon of Cleveland, Ohio, Maggie Garcia of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Maria Margarita Bellon of Bogotá, Colombia. She was preceded in death by her brother Alfonso Gaitán Diaz.
Timeline
1943
October 20th
Born into the Gaitán Diaz family
Diana Marcela is the second oldest of four sisters in her family. Her Father Vicenté is a businessman (radio station) and her mother Tuliá is a clothing designer.
Ibagué, Colombia
1948
April 9th
Assassination of Jorge Eliécar Gaitan
The assassination of this liberal Presidential candidate introduces a wave of political violence in Colombia that puts Diana Marcela's father's life at risk. The family is forced to move from Ibague to Baranquilla and then ultimately to Bogotá.
Bogotá, Colombia
1953
Afrypesca
Her father Vicente operates an airline delivery service of fresh seafood and Diana Marcela gets to fly around the country on delivery trips, leaving a lasting impression on her. The Afrypesca acronym stands for: Aviacion, Refrigeracion Y Pesca. They operated with a single DC-3 (C-47), tail number HK-709.
Baranquilla, Colombia
1965
Early Career in Bogotá
Diana Marcela works for Carvajal y Compañia selling office equipment. She enjoys night life in Bogotá especially the dancing.
Bogotá, Colombia
1968
January 20th
Diana Marcela and Gary Joseph meet
This is how it all began…
Vicente and Tulia and their daughters were invited to attend the wedding of their niece María
Eugenia Bernal Gaitán to Filippo Testa in Ibagué.
On January 20, 1968 Vicente and Tulia Gaitán left Bogotá to go to Ibagué, to attend the wedding.
Martha Lucía Gaitán could not attend because she had to work on Saturdays. Diana Marcela had
to stay in Bogotá to chaperon her sister (as was the custom of the time) because she had a date
with her fiancée Alvaro Bellon for that evening.
When Vicente and Tulia arrived in Ibagué they realized that they had left the wedding gift
behind. They called Diana Marcela and asked her to leave her sister at home (chaperoned by
their maid Francisca) and bring the gift to Ibagué immediately. A trip that took four hours in a
scheduled taxi service between the cities (VeloTax). They were concerned about what people
would whisper about: “The Gaitans came and did NOT bring a present”
During the reception, Filippo introduced them to Gary Joseph Gonya, a US Peace Corps who had
been volunteering in the Ibagué area for the last couple of years. Filippo, an English teacher
enjoyed practicing his English and playing basketball with Gary. Filippo and Maria Eugenia, and
Gary and Diana Marcela are still friends to this date
Gary struck up a conversation with Diana and asked her out to dance. One very popular song that
they danced to was “Strangers in the Night”, which quickly became “Their Song”.
Seven months later, as soon as Gary completed his Peace Corps commitment, they were married
by Pope Paul VI in Bogotá on August 24, 1968.
And the rest is history....
Vicente and Tulia and their daughters were invited to attend the wedding of their niece María
Eugenia Bernal Gaitán to Filippo Testa in Ibagué.
On January 20, 1968 Vicente and Tulia Gaitán left Bogotá to go to Ibagué, to attend the wedding.
Martha Lucía Gaitán could not attend because she had to work on Saturdays. Diana Marcela had
to stay in Bogotá to chaperon her sister (as was the custom of the time) because she had a date
with her fiancée Alvaro Bellon for that evening.
When Vicente and Tulia arrived in Ibagué they realized that they had left the wedding gift
behind. They called Diana Marcela and asked her to leave her sister at home (chaperoned by
their maid Francisca) and bring the gift to Ibagué immediately. A trip that took four hours in a
scheduled taxi service between the cities (VeloTax). They were concerned about what people
would whisper about: “The Gaitans came and did NOT bring a present”
During the reception, Filippo introduced them to Gary Joseph Gonya, a US Peace Corps who had
been volunteering in the Ibagué area for the last couple of years. Filippo, an English teacher
enjoyed practicing his English and playing basketball with Gary. Filippo and Maria Eugenia, and
Gary and Diana Marcela are still friends to this date
Gary struck up a conversation with Diana and asked her out to dance. One very popular song that
they danced to was “Strangers in the Night”, which quickly became “Their Song”.
Seven months later, as soon as Gary completed his Peace Corps commitment, they were married
by Pope Paul VI in Bogotá on August 24, 1968.
And the rest is history....
Ibagué, Colombia
1968
August 24th
Married to Gary Joseph Gonya
Married by Pope Paul VI during a ceremony where 24 couples are wed. For their honeymoon, Diana Marcela and Gary Joseph spend six months traveling throughout all of South America.
Bogotá, Colombia
1969
September 29th
Gary Edward Gonya is born
The second Gary!
Reading, Pennsylvania USA
1971
November 11th
Gary Andrew Gonya is born
The third Gary!
Brewster, New York USA
1975
La Raza Unida
Diana Marcela works on behalf of the Latino migrant laborers in Fremont, Ohio.
Fremont, Ohio USA
1976
November
Jimmy Carter Presidential Campaign and Public Service
Diana Marcela enjoyed being in involved in Jimmy Carter's successful presidential campaign in 1976 and she and Gary Joseph attended the Inauguration in Washington D.C.
She was also involved in several state and local campaigns over the decades. These engagements with public service also gave her an opportunity to participate in the Ohio Trade Commission, the National Red Cross, the Diocese of Toledo, and on local parish councils and school boards.
She was also involved in several state and local campaigns over the decades. These engagements with public service also gave her an opportunity to participate in the Ohio Trade Commission, the National Red Cross, the Diocese of Toledo, and on local parish councils and school boards.
Fremont and Toledo, Ohio
1977
Study and Travel in Spain & Europe
As part of Diana Marcela's undergraduate studies at Bowling Green State University, she takes an academic year abroad and brings the whole family along for the adventure. The family travels to most of Europe via Eurail during the Spring and Summer of 1978.
Madríd, España
1979
February 21st
Christopher Gary Gonya is born
The fourth Gary!
Fremont, Ohio USA
1981
Dream House
Diana Marcela builds her modernist dream house designed by architect Robert Martin in a style inspired by Charles Moore's homes in Sea Ranch, California.
Fremont, Ohio USA
1982
Amway Representative
The first of many business ventures that Diana Marcela explores, including color consulting (Color Me Beautiful) and dry-goods imports from Colombia.
Fremont, Ohio USA
1985
Move to Toledo for St. John's High School
Diana Marcela and Gary Joseph move the family to Toledo so their sons can get a better education at St. John's High School and later at Amherst College (Gary Edward and Gary Andrew) and Cranbrook and University of Michigan (Christopher Gary).
Toledo, Ohio, USA
1986
Natural Classics
Diana Marcela imports and sells Colombian leather goods and jewelry in her retail cart within the Franklin Park Mall in Toledo.
Toledo, Ohio USA
1990
Car and Insurance Sales
Diana Marcela joins Taylor Cadillac and then gets recruited to become a State Farm Insurance agent. She enjoys earning trips to Europe based on her sales accomplishments.
Toledo, Ohio USA
1998
Back to Colombia
Diana Marcela explores several business ventures in Colombia over the ensuing years, including restaurants in Medellín and Cartagena.
Bogotá / Medellín / Cartagena, Colombia
2005
Nana and Nono in NYC
With the birth of her first grandchild, Bianca Gonya, Diana Marcela and Gary Joseph move to New York City (and briefly in Baltimore, Maryland) to be nannies for Gary Andrew and Chantal Kordula's three children: Bianca, Carter, and Dempsey.
New York, New York USA
2016
Thanksgiving in Las Vegas
Christopher Gary and Katie O'Neill hosted Diana Marcela and Gary Joseph along with all of their grandchildren for Thanksgiving in the desert. A couple years earlier Christopher and Katie also hosted everyone in Vail, Colorado during the summer.
Las Vegas, Nevada USA
2022
Back to Toledo
With Gary Edward now living in Toledo to work at the Toledo Museum of Art, Diana Marcela and Gary Joseph move back to Ohio.
Toledo, Ohio USA
2025
May 25th
Wesleyan University graduation and family gathering
Diana Marcela's first grandchild, Bianca Gonya, graduates from college which brings her together with all of her sons and all of her grandchildren for one last time.
Middletown, Connecticut USA
Gallery
Videos
Memory wall
Post a message or share your memories and photos.
February 7, 2026
There are so many memories from my time with Diana, but when I was reflecting on what to write here, only one keeps coming to mind. Just this one. Gary (Edward) and I were living in Miami at the time, but in NY for a visit. There was a family gathering at Gary Andrew and Chantal's place, and Diana and Gary Joseph were there. Bianca was a toddler. Gary and I had been engaged for just a little while, but hadn't told his family yet. Likely, the thought was to wait for the NY trip and tell them in person. And although I had armed myself with a thin layer of fake confidence, I was terribly nervous, because I think it's a lot to ask of people, for me to be considered part of a family. Regardless, the evening proceeded, and I remember that Diana was standing right in front of me when the words were spoken, "We're engaged." Next thing I knew, there was a flash of movement and she was fastening the necklace she had been wearing around my neck. I still don't understand it. It was on her neck one moment, and on mine the next, almost like magic. Then, of course, besos! Celebration! Although she may or may not have known, that one gesture, for me, really was magic - the matriarch's blessing. And so, with time, I have come to think of her as a kind of magician. She could make things out of nothing. Food. Fun. Businesses. No matter what time of day, coffee. Coffee? I am going to dance. Do you want to dance with me? Dance with me. The look in her eyes when she was about to land a really good joke. She had the most perfect comedic timing. The rhythmic recitation of the list of names Olo had given her. That thing she did with garlic, rustling off all the extra layers of peel. Now, I see my messy garlic and wish she were here.
January 23, 2026
Indefatigable, fearless, a one-of-a-kind spirit.
I’ll miss all the micro moments – insisting she make something for me to eat, magically creating opportunities out of nothing over and over again, a buoyancy that created a sense of calm when things were anything but stable or certain.
I will miss the macro themes she instilled and championed - respect, the power of education, decency, manners and so much more.
I’m grateful to have been able to witness her flex her loving/caring/creative Nana game with all of her grandchildren.
I’ll miss her stubborn ways. But without fail whenever she put her signature flair to something, it was always a winner.
She clearly beat to the sound of her own drum. And the music she made indelibly touched and inspired so many.
Rock on Mom.
I’ll miss all the micro moments – insisting she make something for me to eat, magically creating opportunities out of nothing over and over again, a buoyancy that created a sense of calm when things were anything but stable or certain.
I will miss the macro themes she instilled and championed - respect, the power of education, decency, manners and so much more.
I’m grateful to have been able to witness her flex her loving/caring/creative Nana game with all of her grandchildren.
I’ll miss her stubborn ways. But without fail whenever she put her signature flair to something, it was always a winner.
She clearly beat to the sound of her own drum. And the music she made indelibly touched and inspired so many.
Rock on Mom.
January 22, 2026
I have a lifetime of gratitude for all that my mom provided to me, to my brothers, to our relatives, and to many others. She believed in dreams and worked hard to make them real. This photo below reminds me of a sweet moment of dreams becoming real. My mom was so determined to make sure that we had a great education. This is the day, in my senior year of high school, when I learned I got into my top college choice. She was so proud of me, but also proud of all she had done too. Her affectionate support ran deep and I benefited from having a such a big heart in my corner and cheering me on. Still do. ❤️ 🙏 ✨
January 22, 2026
I will never forget the vivacious, intelligent, inquisitive and kind woman that she was! I know you and your family feel the immense loss of her presence and vitality in your lives!
(via Facebook)
(via Facebook)
January 22, 2026
Our family was very fortunate to have her as our Tía Nana.
She helped not only our grandparents, but our mother and family to make it to the US and even took my sister and I (even after never having girls!). We will forever be grateful to her and Gary. She will be remembered as a wonderful daughter, wife, mom, sister, aunt, godmother, grandma, cousin, friend, chef, business owner, dancer, etc., etc…🥰
You will be missed, Tia Nana!!!!
(via Facebook)
She helped not only our grandparents, but our mother and family to make it to the US and even took my sister and I (even after never having girls!). We will forever be grateful to her and Gary. She will be remembered as a wonderful daughter, wife, mom, sister, aunt, godmother, grandma, cousin, friend, chef, business owner, dancer, etc., etc…🥰
You will be missed, Tia Nana!!!!
(via Facebook)
January 22, 2026
With a grateful heart, I honor the life of Dianita, a woman who was a blessing and an inspiration to me for more than fifty years. At a time when I had just arrived in the U.S. from Colombia, needing sanctuary and direction most, she and Gary opened their home and their hearts, giving me refuge during my early college years. Through her kindness, wisdom, and gentle guidance, she became my leading light. Her compassion reflected a generous spirit, and her joyful sense of humor and radiant smile brightened the day for all who knew her. She had a rare gift for bringing light and grace into every conversation. Her love was steady, selfless, and deeply felt. Her spirit lives on in the lives she touched, and she will remain a lasting presence in my heart, my wife’s, and my family’s.
(via Facebook)
(via Facebook)
January 22, 2026
May she rest in peace 🙏🏽 Our family is grateful for her love, support and generosity.
She opened her home and heart to us, making it possible for us to settle from Colombia to the USA
We are forever thankful ❤️❤️❤️
(via Facebook)
She opened her home and heart to us, making it possible for us to settle from Colombia to the USA
We are forever thankful ❤️❤️❤️
(via Facebook)
January 21, 2026
Tia Nana was a very special person. I have always admired her passion, drive and personality. There was never a challenge that she wasn’t willing to take on regardless of the odds. She was always willing to take on the status quo, speak up for those without a voice and be a leader.
However, the biggest impact she had on me was her love for food. She introduced me (and many others) to the Reuben sandwich during the Fremont Sauerkraut Festival. Those sandwiches are still the best one I have ever had and I would always ask her to make me some whenever I visited.
After her passing I knew exactly how to honor her. And every Reuben I eat from now will always remind me of her.
She will be missed but never forgotten.
However, the biggest impact she had on me was her love for food. She introduced me (and many others) to the Reuben sandwich during the Fremont Sauerkraut Festival. Those sandwiches are still the best one I have ever had and I would always ask her to make me some whenever I visited.
After her passing I knew exactly how to honor her. And every Reuben I eat from now will always remind me of her.
She will be missed but never forgotten.
January 21, 2026
Wish I had a photo! We were on the lawn of an upscale country club for the reception of our nephew's wedding. We were pulling our stiletto heels out of the soil where they sank with each step. Suddenly a mischievous grin lit up Diana's face as she suggested we discard our shoes and simply walk barefoot. Quite a few noses were looked down but she was happy as a lark with me in tow as we giggled and enjoyed the lovely party.
Always full of joy she could share with others - that is the Diana Marcela we will always treasure and smile with. Gracias concuña!
Always full of joy she could share with others - that is the Diana Marcela we will always treasure and smile with. Gracias concuña!
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