Diane Veverica Hart

Diane was born on January 29, 1955 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Henry “Hank” Veverica and Mary (Kobza) (Veverica) Brown. Diane traveled the world at an early age, attending schools in Germany and California before graduating high school in Michigan and matriculating at Michigan State University. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture.

Diane married Darrell Hart in 1981 and they raised a son, Nicholas. In 2000, Diane married Joseph “Joe” Goldyn and welcomed stepdaughters Amy Goldyn and Jillian Rivers (Gabriel) to her family.

Diane had a passion for flowers, gardening and nature. She worked in all aspects of the floral industry growing and pollinating flowers, running floral shops, supplying florists as a wholesale general manager, and leading teams at an arboretum. She shared her love of flowers with her husband Joseph, and together they grew elaborate gardens at all their homes. She created award winning arrangements and floral exhibits throughout her life and was recently recognized by Columbia Art Museum.

She had an eye for design and an impressive determination to take on new challenges, completing dozens of home renovations, interior makeovers, and landscaping projects. She spent time advising family, friends and clients on improvements to transform their house and yard into a wonderful home.

Diane was always willing to help others, providing support and assistance for her friends and family. She spent years caring for her mother, Mary, in the final stages of Mary’s life and worked at a local pharmacy providing medicines to those with ailments.

Diane’s community involvement was extensive, joining and leading multiple garden clubs, making the towns and neighborhoods she cared about beautiful for all to appreciate. Diane cherished all generations of her family and took every opportunity to spend time with those she loved. She made dozens of trips to visit her grandchildren. Her visits included lessons in gardening, playing games with each grandchild, sharing meals with special outings to restaurants, and her thoughtful gifts. Her love for them was palpable and they always asked to call or FaceTime Grandma between visits.

She was a famous hostess for “Girls’ Weekends” welcoming her sisters and relatives to a multiday extravaganza. She spent hours every week sharing stories with her siblings and remained close with friends, sharing a 50-year bond with those she met at Michigan State. She built impressive summer bonfires, was fearless with fireworks at New Years and Independence Day, and liked sitting by a winter fire with family and friends.

Diane was preceded in death by her father, Henry, and her mother, Mary. She is survived by her husband, Joseph; siblings, Joseph Veverica (Connie), Karen Veverica (Roelof Sikkens), Linda Straayer, Patricia Veverica, Ann Levine (Michael), Stephen Veverica (Antoinette), Annette Culbertson, and Kimberly Robinson (Gregory); stepmother, Sandy Floreani; son, Nicholas (Bridget); and her grandchildren, Audrey, Darcy, Mickey, and Brody. In addition, she cherished several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on June 29th in the New York area (Westchester County) where Diane loved spending time with her grandchildren. A later memorial gathering is being planned in Columbia, SC where she lived with her husband Joseph, for January of 2025.

Diane wished to be honored as she lived, bringing celebration and joy to all those around her. In lieu of sending flowers, the family asks that you plant some for Diane and spend more time with those you love. Grow your garden and take care others, as she took care of all of us.