Diane Marie Northwood Street, devout Catholic
Diane Marie Northwood Street passed on to heaven Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, after a long, difficult, and very painful battle with cancer, among other debilitating medical issues. She was born to Arthur and Jean Northwood Aug. 14, 1947, the oldest of two girls. She grew up in Old New Castle with her loving, caring, and devoted sister, Robin J. Ralston. Although she graduated from Brandywine High School in 1965, Diane attended De La Warr High, where she was a cheerleader and a proud member of the marching band, playing the bassoon. She went on to graduate from University of Delaware in 1969 with a degree in elementary education, where she met her husband, Gerri, and lifelong friend, Carolyn R. Rudolph. After marrying Gerri June 13, 1970, she taught at Lancashire Elementary, in Montgomery County, Md., while her husband attended law school in Washington, D.C. They later moved to Dover for a two-year job stint. They fell in love with Dover, the people, their friends, and the community; they stayed for life.
Although Diane continued to teach special needs children in the Dover schools for a time, her immeasurable love of teaching was only surpassed by her need to love and support her husband’s law practice, where she supported and guided him to grow the firm for over 45 years as the office manager. In that role, Diane was a mentor to many, to lawyers and staff alike, she was a force of nature in and out of the office, and as many will testify, she was even-handed with her compliments and direct instructions! Over the years, many of her office friends became her family, and over the last 10 years, a vital blessing as part of her caregiving group. She was a teacher in every sense of the word; she lead by example; she showed courage and grit to try everything – and fight hard no matter what.
While raising her four children Diane took great pride in making their clothes and holiday costumes. She worked part-time teaching GED classes, was a dedicated member of the PTA, and a chaperone on many day and weeklong school field trips for her children. Without hesitation, she opened her home to visitors and exchange students alike from many different countries (Argentina, South Africa, Ireland, Germany and France), and above all else, Diane took massive pride in making all of her houses (Governors Avenue, Wilson Drive, Williams Street and Hazel Road.) not just a family house – but the family home - where all were welcome (so long as you liked dogs).
Diane’s success in life and the goal she cared most about is defined by her children, grandchildren, family, friends, and her dogs. Education was paramount to Diane, but equal to her love of education was her faith and deeply rooted spiritual connection with the Catholic church. Her unwavering faith was rooted in everything she did and all that she held sacred.
Diane will be remembered by all as a loving mom with a ridiculously quick wit, a wooden spoon always in close proximity, a crooked middle finger (always at the ready); and a truly massive lover of all animals, namely her six dogs and too many cats to count. She will be forever etched in our minds as a funny and loving Grammy that had more rules surrounding her pool in Dover than an Olympic swim stadium. She will be remembered as a loving wife who sacrificed everything for the success and happiness of her family, a devoted older sister and aunt, and a beautiful woman known by her surgeons to the very end as “spunky.”
Diane is survived by her devoted husband of 55 years, Gerald I. Street, four eternally grateful children, Andrew J. H. Street (Stacey Street) of Burke, Va., Rebecca S. Beste (Robert Beste) of Greenville, Jonathan N.H. Street (Jill Street) of Wilmington, N.C., and Sarah H. Street (Michael Powers) of Dover; a relentlessly dedicated sister, Robin J. (William) Ralston; nine spunky grandchildren, Caleb Street, Danielle Street, Matthew Street of Burke, Oliver Beste and Beatrice Beste of Greenville, and Hailey Street, Clara Street, Elliott Street and Annie Street of Wilmington; an adoring niece, Kelly Talley; two nephews who never failed to make her laugh, Christopher Ralston and Thomas Ralston; and one pampered cat, Figaro.
She will be missed to no end. Her love for her family and friends will never be forgotten, and the impact she had on all who knew her will endure long past her lifetime.
A viewing will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Torbert Funeral Chapel, 1145 E. Lebanon Road, Dover.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 22, at The Church of Holy Cross, 631 S. State St., Dover.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to First State Animal Shelter and SPCA.
Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at torbertfuneral.com.
