Dianne Kaye Linder

Dianne Kaye Linder, age 77 of Akron, Ohio, died on November 26, 2022 at Pebble Creek Care Center.

She was born on May 15, 1945 in Salem, Ohio, the daughter of the late Michael and Regina (nee Adams) Linder.

Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,
For you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.


Dear Friends and Family,
I was honored when asked to share about one of my best friends, Dianne, our sister in Christ.

A little background -- my husband, Fred, and I have overseen a faith-based non-profit company called Mission USA since 2009. Years ago, we also managed a local outreach ministry through our church, The Chapel in Green. Dianne was an integral part of the daily operations. Most of the time, Dianne helped behind the scenes, but she always had a bag packed ready to travel out of state or out of the country to serve others. The ministry owned a food trailer which Dianne spent many hours alongside me stocking it and cleaning it. We always took time to stop for a coffee break or lunch to catch up on life. That's when I found out about her 20+ years of volunteering at the Akron Zoo, her involvement with Boo at the Zoo and her love for animals. One day we were stocking cans of pop in the fridge, and I threw the plastic can holder in the trash. She was quick to teach me to cut them up so there would be no way an animal would get caught in the rings of plastic. Since that day I have taken time to cut them up, and I will continue to do so for the animals and for Dianne. She also told me about taking care of her mom during the last month of her life, that her employer allowed her to take the time off. She was so thankful she was able to do that for her mom.

Over the years, Dianne joined us and other volunteers traveling to many other states to help people after natural disasters. So many of us bonded into life-long friendships while serving others together. Dianne shined in Haiti and Mexico as she played games with kids and put stickers on their hands. She was so loving and compassionate. Several times Dianne joined the team heading to JAARS in North Carolina and OM in Georgia to provide help to these ministries that support Bible translation in other countries. Dianne, always an early riser, was often caught with her glasses on reading her Bible. She was quiet, never complained, always hugged, always supported what needed to be done. Dianne and Nancy, and sometimes Julie, were the delivery team for the cookie ministry, delivering platters of homemade cookies to fire departments, police departments, homeless shelters and other places. "Well done, good and faithful servant."

I can think of a lot of words to describe Dianne. Humble. Patient. Quiet. Punctual. Sweet. Dependable. Kind. Compassionate. Simple. Helper. Hugger. She taught me so much by being all these things all the time.

Dianne was also part of a Bible study group of girls. We used the acronym TNG to describe us, meaning Thursday Nite Gals, but over the years the day of the week we met changed. Sometimes we were MNG. TNG covered Tuesday or Thursday. I think you get the picture. Our group of 11 girls studied various books of the Bible together, shared secrets, prayed for each other and laughed. Several years in a row we went on retreats in the spring and had fall picnics to stay in touch. We had a special bond. We will miss her.

I'm sure after I send this off, other things will come to mind, more fond memories of such a special person. But for now, I will end it just like Dianne would by saying, "God loves you, and so do I."

Dianne volunteered at the Akron Zoo for over 30 years and she was an amazing volunteer who could be counted on to help with whatever needed to be done. There weren't too many events that she did not help work on but one of her favorites was definitely BOO at the Zoo. From building station props to cutting pumpkins and cornstalks, she was a vital part of the zoo. She was also one of the "core" volunteers and an important part of helping the zoo grow from a small children's zoo ato the awesome zoo it is today. She will definitely be missed.

Survivors include her friend, Nancy McHale; her brother, Michael (Beverly) Linder; and several nieces and nephews. Dianne was an animal lover and she is survived by her cats, Tony, Sammy and Nikky.

Other than her parents, Dianne was preceded in death by her brother, Ronald Linder.

There will not any calling hours or services and all arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Newcomer Funeral Home, Akron.