CHARACTERS OF THE VILLAGE

Doris Diether — “Queen of Washington Square Park”

By Joy and Brian Pape and friends

Doris Diether was a friend to so many of us in the Village. We always remember her on her birthday, January 10. This year we received an email from Hellen and Harvey Osgood, also  Characters of The Village,  who wrote,“ we’re thinking of Doris and we wanted to share this day with you both. You loved Doris as we did and we know that you hold her in your hearts as we do.”

Doris is, and will always be, our enduring “Character of the Village.” One could argue that Greenwich Village saved Doris from a “boring” suburban life, but in truth, it was Doris who saved Greenwich Village. She saved it by preventing a highway from cutting through Washington Square Park. She saved it from unscrupulous landlords, developers, and realtors who wanted to tear down our historic architecture. And she saved the music in the Park which helps define our Village.

The “Character of Greenwich Village” was shaped by Doris and will undoubtedly continue to be defined by her for many years to come. Throughout her life in Greenwich Village, Doris fostered a culture of support and cooperation among residents, Park enthusiasts, artists, musicians and those who advocate for justice and fairness in our community. Doris worked with many other activists, most notably Jane Jacobs and Ruth E. Wittenberg, in monumental battles against power brokers like Robert Moses, to save the Village. Doris will forever be remembered for her integrity, her courage, her deep responsibility to Greenwich Village, and her impeccable sense of style—along with her thoughtful tradition of sending greeting cards with recipes to hundreds of friends for holidays, birthdays, and other special times.

It could be said that Doris’ character was more evident in her actions than anyone else’s. Her values, the way she treated others (humans and animals), and her life experiences undoubtedly played a key role in shaping our understanding of a “Character of the Village.”

Born in Queens on January 10, 1929, Doris spent nearly all of her 93 years in New York City. As a child, she and her parents briefly relocated to Massachusetts. However, as a teenager, she found suburban life lonely and “too boring,” prompting her return to NYC, where she settled in Greenwich Village and remained for the rest of her life. In 2021, Doris passed away peacefully at her home of 63 years on Waverly Place with her beloved cats by her side.

It was in Greenwich Village where Doris forged her most cherished relationships and fully realized the start of her “civic career.” She met and married her husband Jack in Washington Square Park and Judson Memorial Church. Jack passed away in Greenwich Village in 1987.

Over the years, the birds and squirrels adopted her, and she adopted many cats. The squirrels would come up to her walker and wait for peanuts from her hand. Even more remarkably, a certain pigeon, among many that had been given person names by Doris, would spot her walking, land on her walker bars, greet her with a coo, and wait for a treat.

Those who frequently visited the Park, both in person and later on social media, became familiar with Doris’ kind demeanor and warm smile. She would greet many regulars by name, or with a warm smile and a wave. The maintenance staff, musicians, and even buskers, all watched out for Doris’ safety. They reached out to her when they felt their rights as tenants, artists, and humans were at risk, or when they needed guidance on how to advocate for themselves. She was on a first-name basis with all the elected officials responsible for this part of New York, all the way up to the state offices. She was on the board of the Washington Square Music Festival and Save the Village. She wrote for our local newspapers.

Doris notably remains the longest serving community board member in the history of the City of New York (and always will be, considering the new term limits), dedicating over 50 years as a member of Greenwich Village’s Community Board 2, where she tirelessly advocated for the rights, needs, and well-being of its residents.

We called her the “Queen of Washington Square Park.” Here’s to the blessed memory of Doris Diether.

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Watch and Learn more at:

“Doris D” by Ricky Syers
youtube.com/watch?v=RmnO0VVHUMY

Ricky & Doris: An Unconventional Friendship in New York City
With Puppets! – By AARP
youtube.com/wastch?v=38CPg9OS510