Diane Gaither

Diane Katherine Gaither, 73, of Prospect and formerly of Slippery Rock, passed away at her residence at 11:01 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, following an extended illness.

She was born May 31, 1947, in Omaha, Neb., to Frank Albert Jenner and Catherine Cecilia Sabocinski Jenner.

Diane graduated from Heelan High School in 1965, in Sioux City, Iowa.

She married Thomas Walter Gaither on Nov. 29, 1968. She received her undergraduate degree in laboratory medicine from the University of South Dakota, and later, her master’s degree with a concentration in counseling and psychology from Slippery Rock University.

Diane was very dedicated to her family, her work and her community. She worked as a mental health therapist in Sharon, Pa., and Warren, Ohio.

She was a Cub Scout den mother before graduating to soccer mom. She adored her grandchildren.

She was of the Catholic faith.

Diane volunteered with the Slippery Rock Fire and Rescue Team, where she served as an EMT. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, teaching quilting, drying flowers and volunteering for Meals on Wheels. She enjoyed travel and circumnavigated the globe on a ship through the Semester at Sea Program.

Survivors include her husband, Dr. Thomas W., at home; her son, doctors T. Kenn Gaither and his wife, Barbara, and their daughter, Emmeline, and twin daughters, Sydney and Lila, and grandkitty, Buckles, of Gibsonville, N.C.; and her son, Edmund Andre Gaither and his wife, Carolyn, and daughter, Kerrigan, and son, Clayton, and grandpuppy, Quincy, and porch kitty, Cloudy, of Houston, Texas.

She was loved by many dear friends and especially by her devoted caregivers.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Donald and Robert Jenner.

GAITHER — A celebration of life will be held later for Diane Katherine Gaither, who died Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021.

Arrangements are being handled by Smith Funeral Home of Slippery Rock.