Diane Morrison

Diane Pedersen Morrison, 80, of Hendersonville, TN passed from this life Wednesday, January 3, 2024, exactly 6 years from the day her twin brother, Vernon, passed.

She was preceded in death by her father, Otto Viggo Pedersen, & mother, Ada O’Sullivan Pedersen. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her twins, Joseph & John, her first grandchild, Jonathan McLaughlin, & brothers, Eugene & Vernon Pedersen. Survived by husband: John Edward Morrison; children: Denise (Ray) McLaughlin, Shirley (Eddie) Harrigan, Debbie (Kenny) Fuesting, Donna (Mike) Means, Danielle Means, & Michelle (David) Nimmo; grandchildren: Mark McLaughlin, Matthew (Katelynn) McLaughlin, Kelly McLaughlin, Alexa Reynolds, Tori Reynolds, Christie Reynolds, Julianna Reynolds, James Harrigan, Catherine Harrigan, Joey (Christie) Fuesting, Deanne (Patrick) Jones, Jenna Fuesting, Christopher (Stefanie) Means, Brian Means, Brittany Means, David (Stacey) Means, Greg Means, Orman & Lee Nimmo; & great-grandchildren: Nathan, Nickolas, & Nadelyn McLaughlin, Lucas & MJ McLaughlin, Bretlee & Paislynn Bostick, Blakelyn McLaughlin, McKenley & Lexa Kate Means, Reese & Archer Means, & Jackson Fuesting; siblings: Sheila Pedersen & Rodney (Marie) Pedersen; forever friends: Jean Trail & Nancy Richardson. 

Diane was born June 10, 1943 to Viggo & Ada Pedersen in Brooklyn, NY. She & her siblings, Eugene, Vernon, Rodney, & Sheila, were first generation Americans, as her father was an immigrant from Denmark & mother from England. They grew up in Irvington, NJ & Springfield, NJ, attended Jonathan Dayton Regional High School in Springfield, NJ, & was a ‘straight A’ student at Volunteer State Community College while raising a gaggle of kids & working at the same time. She was the life of the party wherever she went, enjoyed traveling to Ireland, going to the beach, sailing in Maine, & taking cruises. She lived on the farm “Our Place” in Cottontown, TN but loved living on Old Hickory Lake the most, occasionally taught Sunday school, was a Brownie troop leader, was full-time caregiver in Auntie Min’s final years, went to every grands/great-grands' events, kissed Johnny Cash, made the best pot roast & gravy, loved watching the Titans from their club level seats, grew healthy plants & flowers, completed the Country Music 1/2 marathon at age 70, conquered stem-cell & CAR-T cell transplants, worked at St. Thomas Hospital as a unit clerk & in billing at Vanderbilt Home Care. For nearly 10 years, Diane created a safe haven for many little ones to learn & grow at Hilltop Day Care Center in Madison, TN. Although her legacy is rich with the importance of family, generosity, & celebrating others, she will also be remembered for her positive outlook, courageous strength, her yankee accent, distinct start of “Happy Birthday,” soul-filled laughter, room brightening smile, & faith in God. 

Special heartfelt thank you & praises for the Hematology, Geriatrician, & Palliative Care services, as well as nursing staff on the Myelosuppression/Stem Cell Transplant Unit (10T) & 5th & 7th floors of the Round Wing at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for providing excellent & gracious care for Diane & her family throughout her Multiple Myeloma journey. Diane’s family will be forever grateful to Tori Langham, Music Therapist at VUMC, who created the most perfect & beautiful experience through her voice & music as Diane left for Heaven ~ what a lovely gift. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 12, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Hendersonville Funeral Home.  Visitation will also be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. with a Celebration Service beginning at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Doug Varnado officiating at Hendersonville Funeral Home 353 E. Main Street, Hendersonville, TN.  Interment will take place immediately following the service at Hendersonville Memory Gardens.

If you wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.