Margaret Dianne McDaniel

McDaniel, Margaret Dianne (Carroll), 77, Mount Union, passed away unexpectedly Monday March 6, 2023, at home. Born October 21, 1945, daughter of the late Lidell Carroll. Survived by 2 cousins, Sidney and Elana; 2 great cousins, Jakki and Karla; great great cousin, Mackenzie and 4 God children, Darnella Fortson, Karla West, Brian Stennett, and Zoe Morris-Wakefield and a host of cousins and friends. Preceded in death by a Godchild, Zachary “PopTart” Morris. Ms. McDaniel was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She graduated in 1964 from Captain Jack High School in Mount Union and completed a program at Central Penn Business College in Harrisburg. Ms. McDaniel was employed over the years as a test proctor for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, a staff assistant at the Meadows treatment center, a research data assistant for the Psychology Department at Penn State University, and a resident counselor at the Grier School in Tyrone. She was best known for her work in music. Ms. McDaniel was a professional piano/organ accompanist at churches in Mount Union and Harrisburg. As a member of the Mt. Hope Missionary Baptist Church, she was the director/accompanist of the Men’s Chorus. She was the founder and director of the Orchids, a male gospel quintet, the Gospelettes, a female gospel group, and the Huntingdon County Community Chorus, a gospel choir. In Harrisburg, she was the organist for the Mt. Zion New Voices gospel choir. She also performed with rhythm and blues group, Body and Soul, and also as a self-accompanied vocalist at area venues. She performed with the Huntingdon County Chorus by invitation at the Governor’s Heritage Affairs Concert in Harrisburg, at a special reception for Governor Ridge in Altoona, and on local television station WTAJ in a Christmas concert special. As a vocalist, she appeared with Body and Soul in two one-hour concerts televised on WPSX. She offered educational concert programs on African American musical traditions for groups ranging from visiting Japanese students to community groups and college classrooms. Ms. McDaniel also performed at numerous festivals, including the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, the Blair County African American Heritage Festival, and the African American Family Homecoming Day, an event that she also helped organize. She was also a regular performer at outdoor community concerts sponsored by the South Hills School of Business in State College. Dianne was also extremely active within her community. She was the longtime director of the food bank in Mount Union. She served on the board of the Mount Union Red Cross and the Home Nursing Committee. She was a person who people sought out in times of need, spiritual, financial, or otherwise. She was also politically active, serving on the committees of several local candidates. Dianne was last attending the Grace Community Church in Mount Union. Family and friends will be received on Saturday March 11, 2023, from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 12 noon, at the funeral home, Pastor Danny Neff, eulogist and Pastor Sylvia Morris, officiant, and worship leader. Interment to follow at the Mount Union Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Heath-Anderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 61 E. Shirley St., Mount Union. Condolences may be made at AndersonFamilyFuneralHomes.com.