Diane Lomonaco, who for decades worked in production positions at a number of publishers, died on October 4 of early onset Alzheimer’s disease. She was 67.
During her career in the book business, Lomonaco worked in the production departments at Betty Crocker, Putnam, and Simon & Schuster. From 1988 to 2009, she was associate director pf production at Putnam, overseeing the production and manufacturing of books by such authors as Tom Clancy, Robert Parker, Amy Tan, and Kurt Vonnegut.
"Diane was the ultimate professional, extraordinarily knowledgeable about all facets of bookmaking, and deeply caring of her colleagues and authors," Penguin Random House said in a remembrance sent to staff. "With a love for books and poetry, Diane brought her fondness for theatre and art to everything she did. While quiet, thoughtful, and shy, she was never meek, speaking out for what she believed was honest and fair."
Lomonaco is survived by her husband of 41 years, Michael Lomonaco; her mother, Vincenza Matarazzo; and her sister, Joann Riccio. Services will be held at the Church of St. Monica at 413 East 79th St. in Manhattan on October 13 at 10:00 am.
