Diana Margaret Wang

Eulogy, from Jackie Chang:

Diana Margaret Wang lived exactly the way she wanted—boldly, unapologetically, and usually with better taste than everyone else in the room.

Born to Rita Chiang and Roland Wang, she grew up in East San Jose’s neighborhood of Berryessa, which gave her many gifts: street smarts, sharp wit, and just the right amount of sass that she carried with her for the rest of her life.

Growing up, Diana truly loved to learn, which made her successful academically, but there was also an artistic side to her. It started when she was three –building large structures out of Lego Duplo to oil paintings with her mom. Diana was a gifted artist, turning to drawing to capture moments of joy as well as times of struggle. It is strange how in moments of loss you can vividly remember someone’s features. I can still see Diana’s delicate fingers, adorned with several rings, holding a pencil, sketching away.

Diana attended UCLA before earning her medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine. She achieved the ultimate Chinese parent dream – of having a child become a doctor. She did that. She was the doctor of our family. Whatever Diana put her mind to, she achieved. Truly the hardest working woman I know. Diana then completed her psychiatry residency at Kaiser Fontana, followed by her fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry. She became a psychiatrist not just because she was brilliant (which she was), but because she genuinely cared—though she would probably roll her eyes at how sentimental that sounds.

Diana had this infectious and distinct laugh. My brilliant little Valley Girl with the most beautiful full cheeks, a sharp wit, and dark sense of humor that could catch you off guard in the best way. She could make you laugh in moments you didn’t expect to—and somehow, when she did, it made everything feel a little lighter. She had that rare ability to say exactly what everyone else was thinking, but with better timing and tact.

Outside of her career, Diana loved traveling, especially to Japan and throughout Asia, where she fully embraced everything cute and playful like her own spirit—Sailor Moon, Sanrio, and most recently, Labubu. She had a deep appreciation for the things that brought her joy and did not hesitate to surround herself with it. She also had this infectious way of sucking others into her joy. The next you know, you also owned 10 Labubus.

Despite her strong and independent nature, Diana was deeply kind and caring. One of her best features was the ability to make everyone around her feel recognized. You always knew you were important to her because she showed it with actions–calling you to ask how you’re doing, sending an unexpected gift, or starting a friendly debate. In addition, Diana had this wonderful ability to stay connected. No matter the distance, she made the effort to maintain close relationships - -from her paternal aunt in China, to her cousins and uncle in Taiwan, Diana always ensured you knew she loved you and mattered to her. Her heart is what I will truly miss the most.

Diana is survived by her parents Roland and Rita, her sisters Emma and Jackie, her stepmother Yiwen, her extended family across the world, and her beloved dog and constant companion, Ham –her “dog child”, who meant the world to her.

As psychiatrist Dr. Irvin Yalom once wrote, “Look for her among her friends.” In this way Diana remains with us –in shared laughter, acts of kindness, enduring connections she effortlessly nurtured. Though she is no longer here in the way we long for, Diana does not leave us –in every act of connection, every moment of warmth, every ripple of love that began with her and will continue, endlessly, through all of us.