Courtesy of: The Morning News
By: Rosalie Klein
ORANJESTAD — John and Dianne O’Sullivan of City Island, New York, have been married for 43 years, but this week marks the 25th consecutive year they have traveled to Aruba, always staying at the Divi Resort. The couple is well-known at the resort because each year at this time, Dianne, a travel agent, arranges a festive Christmas bash for the group she brings with her, ranging anywhere from 50 to nearly 150 clients from the New York/New Jersey area. It would even include a visit from Santa.
For the last few years, the O’Sullivans asked all those attending to bring toys and gifts for children, which were donated to the local Aruban foundation Clown Doctors. The foundation regularly visits children in the hospital to calm their fears and make it a more positive experience, and Dianne really connected with their purpose. Her son Brian hit the headlines a few years ago setting the New York Marathon running record for an above-the-knee-amputee. Always athletic, Brian was proving a point, as he had been rejected by the New York Police Department as physically unfit. He wanted to be a NY cop like his father, older brother and grandfather before him. He was born with one leg drastically shorter than the other, which finally required amputation. Having her young son spend so much time in the hospital, instilled in Dianne an understanding of the work of a group like Clown Doctors, and so she and her clients were very supportive.
Back again for their 25th year, Dianne finds all the work of the party a bit exhausting, and the group is also sadly missing some of their regulars, so she decided a quiet, relaxing visit was more in keeping with her group’s mood.
The Divi staff, however, couldn’t imagine a visit from the O’Sullivans and her people without some sort of celebration, and so insisted on arranging a special party around the pool for them, commemorating their 25th stay with Divi Resorts.
“We ended up spending all these years at the Divi after we arrived on Aruba for our second stay at their sister Tamarijn Resort,” recalls John “While Dianne was checking in, I took a walk out to the beach and found it had been nearly washed away by some rough water earlier that year. I walked down here to the Divi, and we really liked the layout, so stayed here instead. That was it for us, Divi became our destination ever since.”
Dianne does not consider the group they travel with her clients, but long-time friends, and they reciprocate the feeling. She is retired now, but they still come to Aruba twice a year, and life wouldn’t be the same without enjoying the island with this special circle of loyal patrons she has amassed over the years. This year, they brought 72, including Mary Lou and Bob Lachman, with whom they have traveled all over the world together.
“I love what they have done with the resort,” commented Dianne on extensive renovations at the Divi. “The pool deck and the new buffet terrace are just stunning. I noticed the food at the buffet is also upgraded and absolutely excellent. They way they set it up with more stations, there is no more waiting on line to get a meal.”
“The one thing that hasn’t changed, is the most important thing,” she notes. “The people who work here are so special. I have traveled the world over, but here at the Divi they have the warmest, friendliest staff I have ever encountered anywhere. That is what keeps us coming back year after year.”
Divi reserved the pool area for the group and provided an elegant anniversary celebration, which all enjoyed immensely.
Though their son Brian never was able to get on the NY Police Force, his story has a happy ending. He was hired by the FBI, and Dianne proudly reports he is now enjoying working for the U.S. Marshal’s Office.
