POULSBO — Diane Virginia Mash died July 4, 2012 at age 74. She lived a vibrant and healthy life until two months ago when she was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor.

Diane spent her life putting others first. She nurtured a 45-year honeymoon with her husband Bill, while lovingly mothering three children and their spouses, Jeff (Kathy), Julie (Mike) and Brant (Robin); and loving six grandchildren, Chelsea, Colby, Caylie, Peyton, Jack and Carson.

Diane’s care and compassion for living things did not end here. She also lovingly cared for and enjoyed the company of countless cats, dogs, horses, a pony, a donkey, pigs, goats, ducks, chickens and wild birds, many of which were lost or abandoned by others.

This tendency for compassion fueled Diane’s beliefs that current challenges, such as access to affordable health care for all, marriage equality and a peaceful end to foreign wars  must just get done.

Diane was a life-long Catholic who loved midnight Mass at St. Olaf’s Church on Christmas Eve, however, when raising her children never forced them into religion. She never taught a child what to think, only how to think.

Diane also took much pleasure in her gardens where she propagated beautiful hydrangea blossoms which were displayed on Christmas trees from the Four Seasons to the Bloedel Reserve and countless weddings in the area.

Diane also had other interests. One of her favorites was trail riding on her current horse Tango, accompanied by her daughter Julie on her horse Sally. These trail rides provided not only Diane and Julie with unforgettable fun and laughs, but also the rest of the family as well when story time came around.

Diane felt grateful to have found her home on Sawdust Hill in Poulsbo where she reaped the benefits of the best neighbors, horse-riding trails, and a beautiful view of the Olympic Mountains where she and Bill enjoyed many fun hikes and excursions.

Because Diane’s children and grandchildren all reside in the Puget Sound area she was able to watch them all take diverse paths through life. Their interests and careers ranged from business to construction, the arts and athletics. Diane embraced her family’s diversity and had a common phrase “never a dull moment,” which sums it all up.

Diane had a huge heart and freely gave love to those that needed it. She was a beautiful fierce light in the lives of anyone with the privilege to know her who has forever burned her love into our memories. So we will keep those memories close knowing that memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you that have made you who you are, the things you never want to lose.

A memorial will be held at Bill and Diane’s house on July 21 at 1 p.m.