Diane Meisch Durant

Diane Meisch Durant passed away on May 2, 2025. Diane was born on October 29, 1955 and grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. Diane received an undergraduate degree in English Literature from Macalester College and worked a few odd jobs, including at a candy factory, before she returned to school at the University of Minnesota to receive a second degree in Computer Science.
She was one of the few females with a Computer Science degree in the 1980s and had her pick of companies upon graduation. She had a successful career working for IBM, Deutsche Bank, and MetLife. In 1991, Diane was set up by her sister Mary on a blind date with John. Less than a year later, they were engaged.
Diane's children, Bridget and John, were the light of her life. She left her career in computer science to stay home with her family, and embraced life as a homework helper, piano lesson-driver, birthday party planner.
After they moved to the Seattle area in 2005, she slowly re-entered the workforce as a paraeducator at the Lake Washington School District. She worked her way up to be the supervisor for all accelerated programs in the district, before retiring in 2020.
Diane's favorite hobbies were outdoors. She loved going on long walks and gardening, and was skilled in canoeing. She was a wonderful host and organized summer themed parties in the middle of Seattle's dreary winters, Christmas celebrations, and potlucks in the cul-de-sac. Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday, celebrated with homemade pumpkin pies, gold spray painted leaves gathered from walks for the tablescape, and as many friends as possible.
Diane loved traveling near and far, and treasured annual trips to the Washington coast with friends, day trips to Whidbey Island, and family excursions to Iceland, Ireland, London, Paris, Prague, and Montreal.
Diane is survived by her daughter Bridget (Brice) Kanehira and son John Ambrose Durant III, her partner Michael Pollowitz, and her siblings, Mary (Matt) Powell, Peter (Susan) Meisch, Paul (Margaret) Meisch, and George Meisch, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends who are like family. Diane was preceded in death by her husband John Ambrose Durant Jr., father Linus Meisch, and mother Mary Meisch.
Diane will be interred at an intimate ceremony at the Tahoma National Cemetery at 2:15 p.m. on May 8, 2025, with a reception to follow hosted by dear friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Northern California Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute.