AIDS philanthropist Irene Diamond dies in New York

Irene Diamond, a major benefactor of the arts and medical research, died on January 21 in her home in Manhattan. She was 92. The widow of renowned benefactor Aaron Diamond, Irene served as president of the Irene Diamond Fund, which donated more than $50 million to several AIDS groups, including providing ongoing support to the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center. In 2001, Diamond received the Andrew Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy. Jane Silver, executive director of the Irene Diamond Fund, said the organization's philanthropic work will continue. Private services will be held later this month.