Diane M. Laurin, 57, of Lenox, group publisher of Laurin Publishing in Pittsfield, died peacefully at home.
Born in Pittsfield on Nov. 22, 1951, daughter of Theresa "Teddi" Cianflone Laurin and the late Francis T. Laurin, she graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1969 and from Russell Sage College in 1973.
Since January 2008, Diane had worked as group publisher for Laurin Publishing, a company founded by her mother in 1962. During her time at Laurin, Diane spearheaded a rebranding and refocusing of the company's three magazines, the flagship publication Photonics Spectra, and BioPhotonics and EuroPhotonics. She embraced new media ventures and was the driving force behind a pending redesign of the company's Web site. She also re-energized the staff of all three magazines, who considered her both a mentor and a dear friend.
Diane began her career at Laurin shortly after graduating from Russell Sage. After leaving Laurin in July 1991, she was named vice president of public relations at Winstanley Associates. She had a hunger for knowledge that led her to travel and explore, and she always surrounded herself with those who shared her curiosity. A true philanthropist, Diane was tirelessly involved in supporting nonprofits, educational programs and cultural venues. She served as President of the United Cerebral Palsy of Berkshire County and was a member of the board of directors for Berkshire Public Theater.
Perhaps one of her biggest passions was her love of nature. She enjoyed hikes including Mt. Greylock, Monument Mountain and Kennedy Park, and also enjoyed camping, biking, bird watching and downhill skiing at both Jiminy Peak and Bosquet.
Diane was head of the board of directors for the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary for several years, spearheading successful fundraising efforts during her tenure. She was currently on committees for Hancock Shaker Village and the Literacy Network of South Berkshire.
Although passionate about many things, she loved nothing more than being a mother. Diane leaves her son, Noah R. Morgenstein; her mother, Teddi, of Pittsfield; her brother, Thomas F. Laurin, and his wife, Mary Ann, of Castleton, N.Y.; two sisters, Patti Laurin Trotti, and her longtime partner, Roosevelt Moore Jr., of Pittsfield and Wendy Laurin, and her husband, Jeffrey Konowitch, of Richmond; her ex-husband and friend, Mark Morgenstein; her uncle, Ralph Cianflone, and his wife, Louise, as well as her much-loved nieces and nephews Elizabeth T. Trotti, John L. Trotti, Ryan F. Laurin, Kristina A. Laurin, Erik W. Laurin, Rachel L. Konowitch and Jason G. Konowitch.

Funeral Notice: Calling hours will be Thursday, Aug. 6, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield. A memorial service will be held Friday, Aug. 7, 2009, at 10 a.m. at The Lenox Club, 111 Yokum Ave. in Lenox. Donations in her memory may be made to Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 West Mountain Road, Lenox 01240; e-mail: Berkshires@massaudubon.org.

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