On Thursday, Oct. 17, Diana Waterman, the former chair of the Maryland Republican Party, passed away after a nine-year battle with cancer.

Diana took over as chair of the party in February 2013, following the resignation of Alex X. Mooney. At the time, the party was in financial turmoil, with $150,000 in debt and just $10,000 in cash. In October 2013, Diana hired me as executive director of the party. Together, we worked tirelessly to stabilize the party's finances and support Republican candidates across Maryland.

Although not a well-known figure in Republican circles when she took over, Diana was deeply committed to making the Republican Party a viable opponent to the Democratic stronghold in the state. She traveled across Maryland, promoting and supporting Republican candidates and central committees, and successfully led the party out of debt.

Under her leadership, the 2014 election saw historic victories for Republicans. Larry Hogan was elected governor, two additional Republicans were elected to the state Senate, seven to the House of Delegates, and over 50 Republicans won local offices. It was one of the most successful elections for the GOP in modern Maryland history.

Diana was a tireless worker and one of the most successful MDGOP party chairs in the past 50 years. By the end of her tenure, the party had $250,000 in cash and no debt.

It was the honor of a lifetime to work alongside Diana and be part of one of the party's best periods. She was one of the finest people I've ever known, and she will be deeply missed.

As we approach the upcoming election, I know Diana would encourage everyone to go out and vote and be civil to each other. She believed that divided we fail, but united, there is hope.

-- Joe Cluster, Forest Hill

The letter writer is a former executive director of the Maryland Republican Party and former Maryland state delegate.