Diane M. Smith, 50, Registered Nurse, Had Craft Store in Lorain
Diane M. Smith (nee Bilancini), 50, of Amherst, died Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at her home from complications due to juvenile type I diabetes.
She was born January 19, 1958 in Lorain and had resided in Amherst since 1981.
Diane grew up in Lorain attending St. Mary Elementary School and graduating from Lorain Catholic High School in 1976. She enrolled in the nursing program at Lorain County Community College and graduated in 1979 with an Associate Degree in Nursing.
Diane worked as a registered nurse at St. Joseph Hospital in Lorain and currently was employed at Community Health Partners Hospital in Lorain. She also owned and operated Angels Wings on 5th Street near Broadway making and selling crafts.
She was very talented with her hands making crafts, sewing, crocheting and cooking. Along with her daughter she enjoyed attending library book sales, garage sales and bargain hunting at thrift stores.
As a youth Diane attended Camp Ho Mita Koda in Aurora, a camp for children with juvenile diabetes, and later became a counselor there. She also was a Girl Scout troop leader for Troop 853 in Amherst for 9 years and an avid Cleveland Indians fan. She was a member of St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in Lorain.
She is survived by her husband of 27 years Dale J. Smith, daughter Amanda Smith of Amherst, stepdaughter Charity Herwig of Lorain, 3 stepgrandchildren, brothers John Bilancini and wife Deedee of Destin, Florida, Dale Bilancini and wife Rita of South Amherst, Darrel Bilancini and wife Cindy of Avon Lake and James Bilancini and wife Teri of Amherst, sisters Mrs. Thomas (Beverly) Vitelli and Mrs. Dale (Susan) Kutting, both of Lorain, Mrs. Dan (Ann) Streza) of Amherst and Mrs. Matthew (Kathryn) Ternes of Elyria and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents John and Jacqueline Bilancini (nee Maurath) and sister Cheryl Verespe.
The family will receive friends Thursday 2-4, 7-9 p.m. at the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave., Lorain. Funeral services will be held Friday at 9:00 a.m. followed by the mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, 310 8th St., Lorain. The Rev. Daniel O. Divis, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Lorain.
Memorial contributions may be made to Camp Ho Mita Koda, Administrative Offices, 3601 S. Green Rd., Suite 100, Cleveland, OH. 44122. www.camphomitakoda.org