Diana Dolores Caughlan

Diana Caughlan died peacefully at her home in San Mateo on January 13th.

Diana was a devoted daughter/sister/wife/mother/grandmother/auntie/cousin/friend – all the while remaining strongly independent and very much her own woman. Born to Bay Area natives, Gladys and Tony, she was a curious and creative girl who loved horses and dreamed of pursuing an acting career. She was a rare beauty and awarded the title of Miss Burlingame. In 1963, she met surfer and political operative, Rob Caughlan, and they were married shortly thereafter – a union that endured for the rest of their lives.

In 1979, inspired by her love of plants, forms and color, Diana founded a landscape design company with her son, Robert. For the following three decades, Caughlan & Son Landscapes designed and contributed to some of the most spectacular gardens in Hillsborough and other locations throughout the Bay Area. She took particular delight in integrating California natives and naturally deer-, drought- and pest-resistant plant varieties into her designs. She adamantly shunned the use of chemical pesticides and especially leaf-blowers, which she faulted both for their noise and for the damage they do to the topsoil. Diana was active in the San Mateo Arboretum Society and served a term as president.

For years Diana studied Spanish with a small group of close friends: she used it in her landscaping business and volunteered as a language tutor in both school and community center settings. She was an avid reader and historian, sharing with her husband a particular passion and encyclopedic knowledge of ancient Rome. In fact, her hobby as a mosaicist originated in her studies and visits to Rome, Pompeii, Venice, Florence, Ravenna… She was also a well-informed citizen and fully engaged in the democratic process, from writing letters to her legislators to participating in protests.

Diana’s husband Rob died of a broken heart just four days after her. Diana is survived by her children, Robert and Christina; and by her grandsons, Luca and Elio. 

A celebration of life will be held to honor Diana in the spring. In the meantime, friends are invited to post memories and reflections here or by sending them to christy.caughlan@gmail.com.

Details regarding services will be provided in the “Events” tab as they are confirmed and made available to the public.