Diane Livingston Strickland

Diane Livingston Strickland, after a life filled with an abundance of love and joy died on November 25, 2018, after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 61. Diane was born on December 29, 1956 in Savannah, Georgia to James Henry and Jacquelyn Livingston.  She was a native of Savannah and has resided in Richmond Hill for the past 30 years.  After graduating Windsor Forest High School, she studied Human Resources at Armstrong State University and St. Leo College and was a member of Phi Mu. She was employed with the Georgia Ports Authority for 22 years of dedicated service and held various positions to include Manager of Communications and External Affairs, Manager of Port Relations, Manager of Communications, Human Resources Manager, Employment Manager, and Training Manager. Diane served as Editor of an award-winning International Trade Magazine, and Editor of an award-winning Employee Relations Magazine. During her career, Diane was designated as Public Spokesperson, Public information Officer, Equal Employment Opportunity Compliance Officer, American with Disabilities Act Compliance Officer, and Records Management Manager for the Authority.  Prior to retiring, Diane was a member of the Savannah Area Board of Realtors and enjoyed a successful career as a commercial and residential realtor.Diane was active in her community and served in many capacities. She formerly served as Chair Publicity Committee for the Georgia Foreign Trade Conference; Chair for the Transportation Division for United Way; Board Member for the Savannah Music Festival; Board Member for Company and Kids, Savannah Department of Family and Children Services; Member of the Propeller Club of Savannah; Member of West-Chatham Exchange Club; and Member of The Richmond Hill Garden Club.  She was a volunteer for Junior Achievement of Savannah, where she was recognized for eight years of service in helping to inspire and prepare young people to succeed. Diane was a steward of her community and received numerous awards; but one of her most memorable was from the National Marine Fisheries Service for her initiative and creativity in educating the public about the North Atlantic Right Whale.  In 2018, she was named as the recipient of the Leslie Graddick Courage Award by Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners.  Diane was an award-winning photographer; her work was featured on the cover of International trade magazines and newspapers. An international trade magazine cover which featured Diane's photography received an award from the Georgia Magazine Association.  Her work was published in various types of print and electronic media including coffee table books titled Seasons of Savannah; Savannah, a Photographic Portrait; and Asheville, North Carolina Through the Seasons. In addition, Diane found time to be a competitive golfer and played in tournaments throughout the Southeast region and beyond.For the past 31 years, Diane was a faithful servant of St. Anne’s Catholic Church. She formerly served as a Member of Parish Council, Member of the Choir, Sunday School Teacher, and Member of the Council of Catholic Women’s organization.  Diane and her husband Joe have actively supported the Savannah Catholic Dioceses for the past 40 years.Diane is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Joseph William Strickland, Richmond Hill, GA; two sons, Christopher Brett Strickland, Richmond Hill, GA and Joseph Ryan Strickland, daughter-in-law, Sara Beth Strickland, and grandson Beckett James Strickland, Richmond Hill, GA; mother Jacquelyn Livingston White, Richmond Hill, GA; brother Danny James Livingston, Savannah, GA; two nieces, Amy Livingston Marona and husband Brenton, two great nephews, Hudson and Paxton, Savannah, GA; niece Amanda Livingston Heldreth and husband Daniel and great nephew Miller, Savannah, GA; nephew Paul Dennis Downing Jr, Savannah, GA; several aunts, uncles, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her father James “Buddy” Henry Livingston of Savannah, GA. Diane wished to acknowledge her loving mother Jacquelyn, aunt Geri Carter, Dorothy Wallace Wilbourne, Catherine Butler Gregory, Becky Sharpe, Mary Cirincione,  members of Redbird Creek Bunco whom she was associated with for approximately 25-plus years, Keller Williams Realty Coastal Area Partners, former co-workers at the Georgia Ports Authority as well as dear friends and neighbors for their constant support during her illness for she was truly humbled by their unconditional love and kindness.   Visitation will be held at the Richmond Hill Funeral Home, 8901 Ford Avenue, Richmond Hill, GA on Tuesday November 27, 2018 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.  Father Allan McDonald will preside over a vigil prayer service scheduled from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM.Funeral services will be held at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 10550 Ford Avenue, Richmond Hill, GA at 11:00 AM on Wednesday November 28, 2018 followed by interment at the family gravesite located at the historic Greenwich section of Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, GA.  In lieu of flowers, request rememberances be sent to St. Anne’s Catholic Church for the restoration of the historic Martha Mary Chapel.