Diane B. Thorngren

Diane is survived by her husband of forty nine years CWO4 Oke S. Thorngren Jr., US Coast Guard, Retired. Together they graduated from Brockton High School in 1962 and spent thirty one years relocating as Oke served our Nation. Their duty stations included Boston, MA; Governors Island, NY; Woods Hole, MA; Miami, FL; Honolulu, HI and The US Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. Diane loved the Coast Guard as much as her husband Oke, was immensely proud of his military accomplishments and looked forward to the Coast Guard reunions that they attended.

Diane was a loving mother of three sons Oke R Thorngren and wife Denny Thorngren Montequin; Craig W. Thorngren and wife Margie Thorngren; Chris T Thorngren and partner Adam Slater. She was the proud grandmother of three Grandsons; Oke William Thorngren and wife Christen Thorngren, Ernest R Thorngren and partner Sheree Rogers, and Michael T. Thorngren. She had one great granddaughter, Kimora M. Thorngren. Diane was very proud that all of her sons and her daughter in law Margie had served in the military.

Diane was the daughter of Bill and Avis (Skillings) Taylor of Brockton, MA. She is survived by her brother Bill Taylor and sister Roberta Thomas and husband Mark as well as sister in law Linda Puffer and husband Howard and sister in law Lorraine George. She is also survived by aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. Her sister Laurie Thompson preceded her in death.

Diane was always active in her children's lives as a den mother, roller-dance enthusiast, soccer mom and school volunteer. She worked hard to help support her family. She was an accomplished professional seamstress, a real estate agent, a pricer for the US Navy Exchange System and the manager of a bowling alley.

Diane did not slow down when she and Oke retired to Port Charlotte. She was an avid reader and pet lover. Her dachshunds Angel and Shadow miss her. She enjoyed playing cards with her friends and had participated in the Charlotte Harbor Dragon Boat Races. She and Oke were baseball fans and were for several years ticket holders for the Rays spring training season.

Diane was a source of strength for her entire family. The compassion, love and pragmatism that she gave us will be missed. We pray that we will use the strength that she has given us to live the lives that she has wanted for us.

In her final battle she taught us an important lesson on how to embrace and cherish every last bit of life. She never gave up. She was strong, loving and caring up to the very end. We pray that we will always remember this about her.

Diane's love and devotion to Oke and her family was inspiring and uplifting. We pray that the memory of her love and devotion will in time turn our sorrow and despair into an even more loving and caring family.

Celebration of life will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home 2405 Harbor Blvd. Port Charlotte, Florida

Please visit the online tribute for Diane Barbara Thorngren at www.kays-ponger.com. Arrangements by Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home and cremation services. Port Charlotte Chapel.