Diane Hardy (Cheryl Diane Ross)

Diane Hardy passed away peacefully on May 21, 2025, in Margate, Florida, surrounded by her loving family.

She is survived by her devoted partner of 35 years, Andy Horne; her son, Kevin Gallagher, of Cary, Illinois, and his wife Diana, along with their children James, Michael, and Brian; and her son, Perry Anderson, of Coconut Creek, Florida, and his partner Laurel Youngman. Diane is also survived by her brother Richard Lewis and his wife Emily of Margate, Florida, and their children Kyle Lewis and Mark Smith; and her brother Claude Lewis of Michigan.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Barbara Lewis, and her father, Monroe Lewis.

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 4, 1952, Diane cherished her early years spent with cousins and at countless family gatherings.

She enjoyed a career of over 20 years with Winn-Dixie, where she began as a cashier and rose to the role of General Merchandise Manager through hard work and dedication. After her time at Winn-Dixie, Diane continued her life of service by providing private childcare and, later, by lovingly caring for several aging family members during their final years.

During her life, Diane poured her heart into motherhood, taking her boys on many adventures and making countless selfless sacrifices to show them how deeply they were loved. She had a gift for creating a warm, inviting home—beautifully decorated and always filled with the scent of delicious food and the sound of laughter. Holidays were her specialty; her selflessness was on full display, with no one ever left without their favorite treats, drinks, or candies. She was an amazing cook, and anyone lucky enough to attend one of her holiday gatherings knew just how special she was.

In recent years, Diane found joy in the simpler things—spending time with Andy, reminiscing with her boys, working on her puzzles, feeding squirrels and birds in her backyard and indulging in her favorite shopping channels, QVC and HSN, always excited for the packages that arrived.

Diane will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of those she loved and in the many wonderful memories she leaves behind.

A funeral service will be held at Kraeer Funeral Home at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 200 West Copans Road, Pompano Beach, on Saturday, June 7. Visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with brunch offered, followed by a prayer service. Diane will be laid to rest at this location immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Diane’s memory are encouraged to make a donation to the American Lung Association at action.lung.org.