Obituary

DIANE MARIE TKACH
September 26, 1944 – August 15, 2022

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”     Jeremiah 29:11

Diane Marie Tkach (Crowell), died at her home in Irvine, California on August 15, 2022, after complications from a recent fall and hospitalization. She was 77 years old. Surrounded by her family and loving hospice caregivers, she went home to be with the Lord, in whom she had placed her life and hope.

Diane was born in Pleasantville, Iowa on September 26, 1944, and spent her early years in Virginia, Utah and finally California, which became her permanent home. She graduated from Palo Alto High School in 1961 and attended San Diego State University for her undergraduate studies where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She went on to obtain her teaching credential in 1969 and begin her more than 30-year teaching career. After the birth of her first child and moving to Newport Beach, she stayed home to raise her three children (Tiffani, Cessalie and Brenden) yet continued to teach through home bible studies, speaking engagements at her church and parent groups. She later returned to teaching at Mariner’s Christian School after completing her master’s degree in Education from Cal State Fullerton in 1989 and later moved to Greenville Fundamental School in Santa Ana from where she retired in 2015. She was adored by both her students and fellow teachers and loved teaching grades 1-3 as well as supporting and mentoring young teachers.

Diane is survived by her husband of 54 years, Ted, her 3 children and their families:

Tiffani & Ryan, Matthew (22), Ethan (20), Carter (17); Cessalie & Robert, Nathan (19), Ava (17), Ryan (14); Brenden & Jennifer, Andrew (11), Austin (8), Alyssa (6) and her brother Bruce (husband Scott) and sister Linda (husband Ellis). She was preceded in death by her mother, Dixie Irene Kang (Neal) and father, Frank Nathan Crowell.

A celebration of Diane’s life will take place on October 8, 2022, at 1:00 pm at Grace Fellowship Church in Costa Mesa, California. To honor her, donations can be made in her name to Grace Fellowship Church in lieu of flowers.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8

Grace Fellowship Church
3170 Red Hill Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
https://goo.gl/maps/qobroCGLU39W8n6W7

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that memorial contributions be made to Grace Fellowship Church.
https://pushpay.com/g/gracefellowshipchurch?src=hpp