Diane Jean DAVIS

DAVIS, Diane Jean (Dunham) age 76, of Fort Wayne, IN and Largo, died Feb. 7, 2014 at the Mid-Pinellas Hospice Care Center. Born Nov. 17, 1937, in Hammond, IN, she was the daughter of the late Robert H. Dunham and Catherine (Colbert) Dunham. She married Paul Edward Davis Sept. 26, 1959; he survives in the home. She was an Assistant Professor Emeritus of Accounting at Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne, where she served for 28 years before retiring in 1996. A graduate of Hammond High School, she held a Bachelor of Science in Education from Ball State University and a Master of Education in Education from St. Francis University and was a CPA. Diane loved to travel and saw much of the United States, Canada, as well as Zaire, Africa; Australia; New Zealand; Costa Rica; Japan; Europe; and China. She was a member of Crescent Avenue United Methodist Church in Fort Wayne and Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Largo. Diane was generous and giving, an adoring wife, mother and grandmother, ready for adventure anytime, anywhere. She absolutely loved roller coasters and held a season pass to Bush Gardens. An avid camper and hiker, at age 60, Diane climbed Long's Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park with her daughters. Diane was passionate about chronicling her travel adventures, family, and love of nature through photography. She touched the hearts of many through her extensive volunteerism. Surviving are her two daughters, Capri (husband, Malcolm and sons, Tyler and Ethan) Burchett of Summerfield, NC and Gwen (son, Dylan and daughter, Kelbe) Thompson-Davis of Hood River, OR. Family and friends will celebrate Diane on Sunday, Feb. 23 at 12:30 pm at the Fairway Village Clubhouse in Largo. Memorials to River Greenway, Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation, 705 E. State Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46815; Friends of Pinellas Trail, 12020 Walsingham Rd, Largo, FL 33778; or National Park Conservation Association, 1300 19th St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036 (ncpa.org).