Diane Mayhew Goulett

Over 20 years ago, I walked around Lake Harriet every morning around 5:30 or 6AM with one year old Madeline in a backpack. Diane always had a friendly greeting and took a genuine interest in us. When I saw her obituary in the paper, I was surprised by how much it affected me.....yet greatly reassured to know that we each have the capacity to brighten the world in rather profound ways and rarely fully appreciate the significance of those small acts of kindness. Diane touched mine and many others.....My condolences to her family.

Dear Dale and Betsy (and kids) and Natalie,

I was sorry to hear the sad news about Diane—Rick Parker and my brother Brian called to tell us about her passing. Just last month my wife and I had driven down the alley past the Goulett house when we were in town for a July 4th family get-together. I pointed out your home and told my wife that this was “downtown neighborhood party playtime central” when we were kids, and that the alley behind the Goulett house was “the place to be.”

I have a lot of fond memories of your mom growing up as a kid. She was an adult who had a special touch relating to us kids and it never felt quite the same and formal as talking to other kids’ moms.

One special memory I have is when I was 11 years and delivery papers to your house. I made the “mistake” of telling your mom that in the second grade at Armatage Elementary School I had gone to speech therapy for a small lisp in my speech. Your mom then proceeded to give me speech therapy right there on the front steps, having me pronounce “S “words and telling me where to place my tongue to correctly make the “S” sound.

I didn’t mind though because it was your mom and she actually made me feel comfortable getting tutored on your front steps in front of the whole neighborhood. I knew that your mom was trying to help me and I appreciated it.

Another time she helped me was when I was a teenager and working at Holiday Gas Station. I accidently filled her blue car with unleaded gas when in fact it took regular gas. I was mortified because I thought maybe I’d ruined her car. But it didn’t matter and she said, “Oh Tom, that’s okay don’t worry about it”. I was instantly relieved, and again, I appreciated her kindness very much.

Your mom Diane was a special person and my brothers and sister and I will remember her always.

We were from Robbins Street--and so was she.

Tom (and Diane) Belanger
Fernandina Beach, Florida

Diane was a lot of woman packed into a little tiny package. I was one of her exercise teachers at Lonna's. We (her sister-in-law Mara, too) had so much fun in class and she always gave it her best effort-she worked hard to stay flexible. I loved to see her beautiful smile that she shared so generously with us. I am deeply saddened for her family and the loss of a wonderful, gifted human being.

Diane was a lady with class and sass and I looked up to her as a new runner in NLRC years ago. She always had a smile on her face and a word of encouragement for everyone. No matter where you were in finishing, she always said "you really flew, girl!" She was a truly great person and will be missed.

Diane was a good friend and also co-chair of my legislative campaigns when I represented south Mpls in the Mn House (1972-92). She was always a hard worker, joyful and insightful. Ken Nelson

To Family,

We knew Diane as a member of MFT and as a colleague. We are thinking of you with sympathy and the hope that time will bring comfort to your heart.

Sincerely,

Charmaine White
and
Willie Jackson
Minneapolis

Betsy, Dale,
I am so sorry to hear of your Mother's passing.
I have made a donation to the Alzheimer's Fund in her memory. It is sad to see someone you grew up with and who was almost a second mother die, but I believe she is in a better place now after suffering through the last few years of her life.
George M. Scott, Jr.

The Belanger family of Pittsburgh, PA fondly remembers Diane Goulett and says a prayer in her name.
Her acts of kindness to me as a young boy will never be forgotten. May the Lord rest her soul in peace.

Warm regards,
Mitch, Maryann, Luke and Joey Belanger

Dear Family, I was sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. I spent many long hours working with your mother and the MFT to improve the lives of students and teachers in Minneapolis Public Schools. Diane was a tireless worker and a terrific teacher leader. Her positive attitude was so inspiring to me and many others that were lucky enough to know her. Diane was the 'most alive' person that I knew.

Dear Betsy, Dale and Family,
Back in the early '70's, Harlan Jr. and I were best friends through our high school years. I spent many a day over at the Robbins house and came to know Diane as the ever caring, kind and endlessly energetic woman she was. Although Harlan and I lost touch over the years, I often thought of all of you. I was unaware of Diane's activity with marathons, bike riding clubs, etc. but given the woman I knew, that comes as no surprise. She was a powerhouse.

My deepest condolences to all of you.

Betsy & Family,
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your Mother . I know how much you love & miss her . I hope that the good memories you have will help ease your sadness some . I know Lisa P. & I often talk anout the good times we had @ your house on Robbins Pl. You mother was always so kind . I'm quite sure how ever's lives were touched by Diane will always remember her for the beautiful woman she was inside & out .

I met your mom when I was starting my career as a speech-language pathologist in the Minneapolis Public Schools. She was one of a great group of mentors who made me feel proud to be a speech-language pathologist. Thank you Diane.

Dear Bets, Dale and the entire family:

I am so sorry for your loss! So many memories come flooding back to me from our much younger days... Diane taking care of us, us taking care of you all. Summer days at Thomas Beach at Calhoun or at some beach on Harriet, with picnic lunches and our mom's old rickety cars.

The year we went to New York and New Jersey, and your mom coming to check on us while the other parents were busy at the banquet.

Diane helping me speak properly after I lost my two front teeth. All the times I stayed at your house on Robbins.

Your mom being so sneaky about helping my mom get my first kitten.

The union and political connections Diane and I had as an adult.

The time I was driving and saw a bumper sticker I loved " If you can read this, thank a teacher." I drove up to acknowledge that teacher, and it was Diane! And, we were both headed to the capitol to lobby!

So much wonderful history with a wonderful woman who is a part of us forever.

The last few years I know have been difficult. Please know if there's anything I can do for you, I'm here.

Diane was one of so many in our running family. People join us everyday and learn of the long history of some fantastic people they only know by name. Many of us can say we knew and enjoyed life with Diane. She was one of the best. Say hi to Don Wolkoff, Ted Esau, and on and on of the others that have passed...thanks for being part of our lives....

I am one of Diane's many non-running friends. She had many interests and enjoyed multiple circles of friends. Diane and I started out as neighbors, became fast friends and our friendship endured for 43 years - ending only with her passing. Fortunately, I have many "uniquely Diane" memories to nourish me as life goes on. Here's one:

Diane was so excited that she had used the bathroom on the Concorde while she was moving at twice the speed of sound! "And there were linen towels in there," she informed me when she returned to her seat.

This was in 1988 during one of our delightful travel adventures, when we sailed to Southampton on the QEII, spent 10 wonderful days in England and returned to the US on the Concorde. She was a perfect travel companion. Happily, we shared many of the same interests so it was just plain grand to explore and experience new things together.

I will miss her, but oh, what a ride she had! And I got to "go with" many times.

Anne Kerr

Like her many friends and my fellow runners from the Minnehaha Marathoner's, I'm thankful to have known Diane.

It's great fun to recall the good times plus the good runs. One year she won her age group at a Disney Half Marathon and I remember her proudly showing the trophy-Mickey Mouse with his hand in the air and one finger pointed up.

And I'm sad when I think how Alzheimer's so changed her spirit-her life. She fought hard and then cussed at her condition, like when the knobs came off her gas stove in the kitchen.

Betsy, I am saddened to learn of your mother's passing. She and I went to Patrick Henry H.S. together and we also danced with Glyde Snyder Productions. In fact, I brought her into the Snyder group.
She left a legacy to be proud of.

Diane was one of a kind, an active runner, encouraging others with her contributions / suggestions. She was active in the MDRA , Melpomene, Minnehaha Marathoners, and other groups leading the way by example for men / women runners in the Running community.
The first time I heard of her was at the MDRA annual meeting in (1981) she received an award. Best Masters woman .. or like that. One beautiful person,

What a wonderful and deserving article in the newspaper today. I have been blessed to have known Diane and run and socialize with her as part of the Minnehaha Marathoners for so many years. She was an inspiration and is greatly missed.

Betsy,
I was greatly saddened to read of your Mom's passing. I have such fond memories of living on Thomas Ave so long ago. You are in my thoughts & prayers. Tracy (Nuquist) Ginsky

I'm wringing my hands with sadness, at learning of Diane's death; she enthusiastically helped when I was starting to jog and run. May the Lord be with Diane on her journey through Eternity.