Doris Diether, Greenwich Village Icon And CB Member, Dies At 92

GREENWICH VILLAGE, NY — Doris Diether, a longtime Greenwich Village resident, a fierce advocate for Lower Manhattan, and a member of Community Board 2 for more than 50 years, died Thursday. She was 92.

Diether had recently spent two weeks at Mt. Sinai West Hospital receiving care, however, her health was rapidly declining and she chose to return home to be with her cats, reports The Village Sun.

The longtime Greenwich Village advocate was a member of Community Board 2 for more than 50 years, after first arriving in the neighborhood from her family's house in Massachusetts in the early 1950s.

She was born in Queens.

Not long after, Diether befriended the iconic Lower Manhattan activist and journalist Jane Jacobs. Along with other community members, they protested against planned demolition by Robert Moses in Greenwich Village, reports The Village Sun.

Moses' plan was eventually scrapped due to the protest.

Diether served on Community Board 2 since 1964, which many suspected made her the longest-serving community board member in New York City.

Known as the Queen of Washington Square Park, Diether spent an incredible amount of space in the Lower Manhattan public park.

In 2015, AARP posted a video of Diether's unexpected friendship with Ricky Syers, a puppeteer who performed in Washington Square Park.

Diether is reportedly survived by a son-in-law, Anton, as well as some relatives in Finland whom she got to know in recent years, according to The Village Sun.

Online Tributes

The tributes poured in for Diether on Thursday night and Friday morning.

Community Board 2 member Ryder Kessler also took to Twitter, "Very sad news. Reading about Doris's incredible NYC life makes me feel lucky to have served with her on CB2 Manhattan. Her lifetime of steadfast commitment to her community is a model for all of us."

Another person online wrote, "Doris Diether was a force of nature who for years fought to keep the Village from ravenous max of big box stores and light-blocking high rises. May her memory be for a blessing."

Heartbroken to learn of the passing of my beloved friend Doris Diether. Her activism gave our community its legendary reputation for vibrant community engagement—and she did it all with love.

Keeping Greenwhich Village and all who loved her in my prayers. I'll miss her so much. pic.twitter.com/vj1G8S0joH
— NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson (@NYCSpeakerCoJo) September 17, 2021

State Senator Brad Hoylman, Assembly Member Deborah Glick, and Democratic nominee for City Council District 3 Erik Bottcher also shared tributes of Diether online.

"Extremely sad news — Doris Diether — a force of nature and longtime CB2 Manhattan member passed away at 92," Glick wrote on Twitter. "The absolute zoning maven taught generations the arcane ins and outs of City zoning text. Animal lover with a zest for life will be missed."