Diane Sciortino Singletary
Diane Sciortino Singletary, age 65, originally from Hammond, passed away on April 9, 2024 after a 13-month battle with cancer.
Visitation will be held at the Luffey Center adjacent to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ruston, on Friday, April 12, 2024, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the Luffey Center.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p. m., Saturday, April 13, 2024, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.
Burial will follow at Kilpatrick’s Memorial Gardens located at 1270 Highway 544, in Ruston.
She finally succumbed to cancer only 8 days after returning to her home in Ruston.
Diane grew up in Hammond, where she attended Holy Ghost Catholic School ( K- 8) and Southwood Academy (9-12). She graduated second in her high school class (salutatorian).
Diane graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BS in Accounting. Later she earned an MBA and CPA. Upon graduation she began work at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond. She was the first female and the youngest controller ever in the University System of Louisiana.
Over the years she accumulated numerous awards and accolades. She was the second female president of Kiwanis in Hammond and later president of the club in Ruston where she became Lt. Governor overseeing all district clubs. She was the controller at ULM and assumed the VP position of Administration & Finance before retiring after 32 years of university service.
She was known for her love of Christ, family, travel, community service, and TV. A devout Catholic, Diane rarely missed weekly mass and days of obligation. The first thing she did upon arriving in another country or state, was find a church to attend. As all who knew her can attest, she was kind, intelligent and energetic. Diane truly had a servant’s heart, always happily helping others. She never spoke negative of anyone. Despite her many accomplishments, Diane was always humble like waiting on others at professional and family events. She was at ease speaking to high-level officials, a mechanic or to a group of 2,000 students.
Diane was preceded in death by Anthony Sciortino, the father that she adored.
She is survived by her husband, Les, of 35 years; mother, Dot Amerson Sciortino Wells; brothers, Gasper (Debbie), Michael (Cherie), Sammy (Mary); sister, Joann Landry (Jerry); daughter, Mary Davis (Justin); stepdaughters ( also her daughters), Brenda Lakhani (Raj), Deborah, Cynthia, Julie Smitherman (Jon) and stepson Lauren Singletary (Lori).
Known for being very healthy all her life, the family was shocked to learn of Diane’s cancer in March 2023. With extraordinary courage and determination, she fought the disease for over 13 months with most of the last 8 months at MD Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston, Texas. Her faith and family kept her going as she endured one failed treatment after another.
She was always ready for the next step that promised a cure so she could see Mary’s children one day. Diane suffered more than words can tell. She only accepted her fate when the doctors said her severely weakened body couldn’t survive another treatment. Then she insisted on returning home immediately to be with her family and see her priest.
Serving as pallbearers will be her nephews, Jason Sciortino, Garret Sciortino, Anthony Sciortino, Michael Sciortino, Jared Landry, and Sam Sciortino with Justin Davis and Johnny Singletary serving as alternates.
The family would like to extend thanks to the care she was given by the following: Drs. Kirton Koticha and Benton Grigsby plus the many doctors at Christus Hospital in Shreveport and MD Anderson.
Also, a heartfelt thanks to special friends who provided amazing help and support over the past year: Sandi Adams, Mary Carol Vidrine, Dianna May, and Glenn and Dianne Woodard and many neighbors who cared for her lawn and provided food and other assistance.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the alumni accounting scholarship at SLU in Diane’s memory. Check/ money orders may be made out to and mailed to the Southeastern Foundation at SLU 10293, Hammond, LA 70402.
Credit card donations may be made online at www. southeastern. edu/memorial. Or you may call (985) 549-5356.
