Obituary: Diana Proctor, Conservation Commission Chair

Diana Proctor, an life-long Watertown resident who was a force behind the creation of numerous parks and conservation land, die May 10 in a Brighton nursing home.

Proctor was 85.

Born on Arlington Street where she would live for 80 years, Proctor was a long-time town employee town who became involved with the environment serving as chairman of the Watertown Conservation Commission for 17 years from 1975 to 1992.

During her term Proctor was instrumental in building numerous parks and conservation land: Fillipello Park, Arsenal Park, Linea Park and the Riverwalk along the Charles River. See is also responsible for lining many major and secondary streets and roads with trees - including receiving a grant for 300 trees along Arsenal Street in 1984 – leading to Watertown being awarded the honor of being named a Tree Town USA.

As a result of her conservation work, Proctor was elected to the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissioners, (MACC) and began to work on a state level.

Proctor was the recipient of the MACCs award for outstanding achievements in conservation the 1983, recognizing her energy, dedication and ability to overcome endless obstacles to create Arsenal Park; a 14 acre park. The park received award of merit by the Boston Design Council and the Boston Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

In April 2002, Proctor was the recipient of the Watertown Woman Achievement award for her outstanding work in the community.

As a community activist, she also organized The Taxiarchae Veterans Committee to acknowledge Greek-Americans in the Armed Forces of the United States. In 2003 she was the recipient of the Watertown Historical Commissions Community Spirit Award for her work with the veterans.

Proctor leaves behind her three children; Nadine Proctor of Northborough, Lygia Angel of Jamaica Plain, and Dean Proctor of Rochester MN.. She also leaves five grandchildren and her brother Byron Angel of Quincy, and sister Alice Savas of Waltham. A Celebration of Life Service was held at the Faggas Funeral Home, 551 Mt. Auburn St., in Watertown.