Dr. Diana Mark Malchoff

Diana Mark Malchoff, 74 years old, of West Hartford, CT, peacefully passed away on April 5, 2025 surrounded by loved ones after a difficult battle with cancer. Diana was born on June 19, 1950 to Eugene and Gladys Mark in Philadelphia, PA. She graduated from Cardinal O’Hara High School in Springfield, PA in 1968, received her BA in Chemistry at Villanova University in 1972, and PhD in biochemistry at The University of Rochester in 1978. Following postdoctoral positions at the University of Virginia, Diana joined the faculty at UConn Health in Farmington, CT. She was an early adopter of DNA sequencing and applied this technology to unraveling the mysteries of both inherited and acquired disorders. Subsequently, she found her greatest enjoyment and fulfillment, when she transitioned to teaching chemistry and biology as Chairman of the Science Department at Avon Old Farms School. Although few of her students will remember the gas laws, all will remember that success comes from hard work. She helped many to identify direction in their lives and all to pursue their goals with empathy, honesty and integrity. Diana met Carl Malchoff at the University of Rochester. The two married in 1976 and had three children, Melisa, Pamela, and Brian. Diana retired in 2020 and delighted in spending time with her four beloved grandchildren. She took pride in completing the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle in ink. She enjoyed cooking, excelled in baking pies, and maintained a continuing interest in all aspects of science. Diana is predeceased by her father, Eugene Mark and her granddaughter, Hattie Polazzi. She is survived by her mother, Gladys Mark; her husband, Carl Malchoff; and her brothers, Eugene and Andrew Mark. She is also survived by her children Melisa Malchoff Polazzi and her husband David (parents of Macnamara and Tess); Pamela Malchoff and her fiancé J. Matthew Kowalchick; as well as Brian Malchoff and his wife Katherine (parents of Cameron and Charlie). In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Avon Old Farms School or to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. A celebration of life for Diana will be held at the Avon Old Farms School Chapel in Avon, CT on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 3 pm.

Dr. Diana Mark Malchoff

June 19, 1950 - April 5, 2025