Diane Weires Haynes

Diane K. Haynes nee Hoffman (formerly known as Diane K. Weires) entered into rest on the afternoon of November 24, 2025 with her husband Charles W. Haynes (Chuck) at her side along with her two sons Rhett D. Weires, Esq. and Dr. Nathan H. Weires. Diane passed peacefully at home, ending her decade long battle with Parkinsons Disease.

Diane leaves behind her loving and devoted husband Chuck whom she married 29 years ago. Survivors include: Son, Rhett D. Weires (wife Cynthia Listort) and grandsons Maximilian R.L. Weires, Jedidiah F.L. Weires, Rhys N.L. Weires and Beckett J.L. Weires; Son Nathan H. Weires (wife Jean M. DiFlorio) and grandsons Lucas D. Weires and Mason D. Weires; Step-Son Chad Haynes (wife Amy Haynes) and granddaughters Olivia Haynes, Jocelyn Haynes and Anika Haynes. Her two sisters Patricia Mahnke (Larry) and Nancy Hogrefe (James) both of whom still reside proximate to the family farm in Ridgeville Corners, Ohio. Sister-in-law Pamela Haynes of Austin, Texas. She was pre-deceased by her first husband Dr. Richard W. Weires, Jr. (2/3/1944 – 11/20/1990); her father George J. Hoffman (“Sonny”) and her mother Mathilda L. Hoffman nee Cordes (“Tilly”); and her brother Ronald Hoffman and his wife Marcie.

Born the third of four children soon after WWII on her family farm in the hamlet of Ridgeville Corners in the Northwest corner of Ohio (heart of Midwest farm country), Diane’s thirst for knowledge and love of education found her enrolled at Bowling Green State University after graduating as her high school’s valedictorian. She went on to pursue her undergraduate degree initially intending to become a physical education teacher, but her excellence in mathematics won out. Before she would become a teacher, however, she met her future husband, Richard W. Weires, Jr. as he pursued his Masters in entomology. Marrying in 1967 the pair moved to the Twin Cities where Rick was pursuing his Doctorate at the University of Minnesota. They welcomed a son in late 1968 and Diane enjoyed being a stay-at-home mother and homemaker. A second son joined the family just after new year’s in 1973, and when Rick became a professor at Cornell University the family relocated to the Mid-Hudson Valley region in New York State.

An energetic and devoted mother Diane enthusiastically supported her children’s educational and athletic growth and development. She and Rick moved the family into their new house in New Paltz, New York in 1976, and she embraced the role of mother and homemaker. Yet her aspirations and intellect inspired her to continue to pursue her education. She embarked on a graduate degree program at SUNY New Paltz where she distinguished herself as a remarkable mathematics and computer science student (and teacher). Despite receiving many offers to work in academia, Diane chose to embark on a new career path, and she accepted employment with IBM as a computer programmer in 1984. Her full-time job obligations never got in the way of her parenting, and she never missed a single game that her two sons played (from little league through high school, she was always there for her children).

Diane progressed rapidly through the ranks at IBM, moving into the graphics programming department where she served as the “Lead Programmer” on multiple projects. Although no where near as successful a student as their mother, Diane proudly ushered her sons through high school and onto College at Cornell University. Along the way she and Rick developed deep and lasting friendships with many families in the local New Paltz Community, particularly their “volleyball group” with whom they shared many wonderful times. Despite their family’s success, Diane saw her husband stricken with terminal cancer, and at age 44 with one son about to graduate college and another about to enroll, she was widowed on November 20, 1990. Three months later her beloved Father passed from cancer. In the face of life changing circumstances she persevered, demonstrating a strength of will, character and fortitude beyond comprehension. She continued to support her sons as they pursued college and graduate degrees. She continued to lead a department at IBM such that when large scale lay offs and closures came about at IBM in the early 90’s, she was instead offered the option by IBM to move either to Raleigh/Durham in North Carolina or to Austin Texas. She chose wisely, and moved by herself to Austin Texas where she began her life anew in many ways.

At IBM in Austin she continued to thrive as a leader, moving up the chain and taking on extensive managerial responsibility. She also found herself making new friends, most importantly joining a group of like-minded adventurous women who lovingly referred to themselves as “The Coven”. Most importantly, she met and began dating Chuck, the love of her life, who she would marry on November 30, 1996. Chuck and Diane shared many travels and adventures through the years. They shared each other’s values and supported each other in every way. But most of all, they were madly in love with each other, their own unique personalities perfectly meshing with the other’s. In addition to their outdoor adventures and travel, the couple relished spending time with their grandchildren, all of whom loved their Bubba and Gigi (grandparents at 53, Diane was not ready to be “grandma”).

Ultimately, she and Chuck retired together and began to live out their dream of retirement travel and adventure. Unfortunately, Diane began to suffer from physical ailments that were finally diagnosed as Parkinsons disease. However, like everything in her life, she would find herself in the top percentile, surviving well in excess of the ten-year life expectancy she had been advised. Diane was able to figure out the most effective methods for her to successfully manage the debilitating disease. As a result, Diane and Chuck were able to live a full and rich life for many years while Diane coped with the pain and discomfort.

Parkinsons is a cruel disease, and the end stage of such a disease is particularly grueling. However, Diane once again showed that she was a marvel of strength and courage in the face of death. During the latter half of 2023 Diane’s condition deteriorated. The doctors who had been treating her over the years acknowledged that she had reached the maximum dosage of her Parkinsons medications, and that she would inevitably decline. On the day after Christmas, 2023, Chuck and Diane found themselves being told that her best option at that time was to enter into Hospice Care. Diane spent the next two weeks at the Hospice Care facility in Downtown Austin known as Christopher House, and it was there that a miracle happened. With the focus solely on her comfort, through the loving care and attention of the wonderful Hospice staff, Diane’s condition began to improve. Instead of her demise, the Hospice staff saw her “graduate” by being discharged back to her home.

The reprieve and additional time were not enough to see modern medicine find a cure for Parkinsons, and in March of 2025 Diane again was admitted into Hospice care. She remained at home, however, where she has been cared for by her dutiful and loving husband Chuck. Also instrumental in her care and comfort has been her professional caregiver Melonie House, with whom Diane and her entire family have become dear friends. As a result, and due mostly to Diane’s incredible strength and courage she once again far exceeded the medical estimate for her survival. Diane will always be remembered for her unique exceptionalism.

Chuck and the family will be coordinating celebrations of life in honor of Diane (Archbold, Ohio and New Paltz, New York). In lieu of flowers donations are encouraged to: Parkinsons Research and/or Hospice of Austin.