Diane Modica is a lifelong resident of East Boston. She received her BA from Salem State College and her Master’s Degree from Boston College School of Social Work. She holds a JD from Suffolk University Law School and ran her law practice for 27 years.

Diane served on the Boston City Council from District 1 from 1994-1998; as Consumer Affairs and Licensing Commissioner under former Mayor Raymond Flynn from 1984 to 1993, and Manager of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Massachusetts Port Authority from 1981 to 1983.

She has also served in a variety of positions in many community organizations including as Chairperson of the East Boston Foundation Board of Trustees, President of the East Boston Chamber of Commerce and as Advisory Board Member of the East Boston Museum and Historical Society. She Chaired the Commission for Social Justice of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts Sons and Daughters of Italy and was a member of Renaissance Lodge; the Pirandello Lyceum and the Italian American Alliance. In October 2024, Diane received the Christopher Columbus Advocacy Award from the Italian America Heritage Committee. She serves presently on the Sacred Heart Parish Finance Council.

Diane’s recent focus has been on art career as a member of the East Boston Artists Group and the Atlantic Works Gallery. She is a mixed media artist and has shown her work in a number of exhibits and shows. She has been active in organizing East Boston Open Studios at 80 Border Street; the Annual East Boston Artists Group show in collaboration with the Institute of Contemporary Art at the Watershed in the East Boston Shipyard; the Clip Art Gallery at the Clippership Wharf on the East Boston Waterfront. She is currently involved with other local residents and the Lawyers for Civil Rights of Boston in an effort to obtain a Massachusetts Arts Council designation for an East Boston Arts and Cultural District.

Diane attended Camp Wakitina at the East Boston Camps in Westford, MA when she was 10 years old. It was a highlight of her young life. She idolized the Camp counselors. They were the kindest and most capable young women who always made the campers feel good about themselves. They served as wonderful role

models for the campers. Camp Waki was an oasis for urban youngsters and for many like Diane who had not seen much “country life”. She earned her Beginners Swimming Certificate while taking lessons from counselors on the camp lake. It was a boost to her self-esteem. Receiving Camp Waki’s Outstanding Camper of Cabin 2 award at the end of the two weeks stay startled her. She could not figure out why she did, except that it is likely because she talked to everyone, everywhere all at once.

Most of all, Diane remembers that her uncle, Peter Modica, was one of the young East Boston volunteers in the late 1930’s along with his pal Angelo Musto and many others, who helped clear the land and build the camps infrastructure in Westford through the generosity of the Hymans Family Foundation. It was one generation building a future for the next generations which made happy memories for thousands of children that were never forgotten? This is a legacy that the East Boston Social Center continues to this day.