Diana Fierst

It was a Tuesday, a bit windy and chilly, normal for the 7th of November in 1967

On this auspicious date President Lyndon Johnson signed a bill to establish the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. However, something really special occurred in the Lynch family that stood out on this day, a bright light of love and acceptance appeared, directly impacting the life of Betsy and Jack Lynch who already had a large family including 3 boys and 3 girls, Diana Elizabeth Lynch arrived, making her the 4th girl and the baby of the family at least until Kelli came along! The number one song on the popular music charts was To Sir with Love by LuLu, and Cool Hand Luke, Starring Paul Newman was in movie theaters. Diana was born under the Astrological sign of Scorpio and is a Generation X’er.

One year later Diana was toddling around to the Beatles’, Hey Jude, the assassinations of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr and Bobby Kennedy consumed the news, The Civil Rights act is signed into law and 60 minutes premiers on CBS.

A few years go by and in 1971 Kelli, the youngest sibling joins the family and Diana is now 4 and a big sister. But the loss of her father Jack, in 1973 weighs heavy on the family.

1974 found 7-year-old Diana attending St Michaels Catholic School. I’m gonna assume she was an exemplary student. In China, the Terra Cotta Army was discovered by farmers, Richard Nixon resigns the presidency making Gerald Ford president, on TV the 6-million-dollar man premiers and in the movie theaters, Blazing Saddles is making everyone laugh.

By the time Diana is 10, Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs incorporate Apple Computer, Inc, the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth 11 is celebrated, and Debbie Boone's "You Light Up My Life" goes to #1 and stays there for 10 weeks.

Soon Diana moves up to Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School. Moonlighting starring Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepard premiers on ABC, the song New York, New York is adopted by the city of New York as it’s official anthem, Michael Jordon is declared Rookie of the year and the film world lost Margaret Hamilton, the actress who played the Wicked Witch in the Wizard of Oz, Yule Brenner, and Rock Hudson, who was the first celebrity to dies of AIDS. Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of the UK, and the Ronald Reagan was president. Diana navigates through high school to graduate in 1986, and at 19 continues to Virginia Commonwealth University.

Over the next few years, as she attends college, “I think we’re alone Now” by Tiffany is on the radio and her 20th birthday falls on a Saturday.

1990 find Diana graduating from VCU, while Nelson Mandela is finally released from prison, wrecking cranes start knocking down the Berlin Wall, and In Living Color premiers on Fox TV.

Soon a very special person comes into her life her soul mate and in1994 she is engaged to Matt Fierst. Pulp Fiction is in movie theatres, Amazon is created by Jeff Bezos, and public trains start running through the Chunnel. Diana and Matt marry on April 8,1995 and their partnership begins. The song, "I Will Always Love You," by Whitney Houston is a wedding favorite.

The year we lost Liberace and Fred Astaire, Diana was 30, the first use of trained dolphins was employed by the US Navy, Vincent Van Gogh’s painting “Sunflowers” sells for an astonishing $39.7 million, Joe Montana of the 49ners, completes the NFL record of 22 consecutive passes, and New Zealand's Labour government becomes the only nation to legislate against nuclear power.

Soon, Diana and Matt decide it’s time to add to their family. They first go to Russia and adopt Mia in 2000 and return 3 years later to add Jackson to complete their little family.

The loss of her sister Christine, in 2005, brings sadness to the Lynch family but life and the world moved on and the Fierst family thrived under Diana’s loving guidance as mother and wife.

In 2007 when Diana was 40, the 41st country music awards select Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley as musicians of the year, Nancy Pelosi becomes the first female speaker of the House, Steve Jobs introduces the iPhone, and the doomsday clock was reset to 5 minutes to midnight due to North Korea flexing their nuclear muscles.

And life again takes a sad turn, and the matriarch of the family Betsy passes in 2008

In 2017 Diana was 50, always a momentous time in one’s life and this year was no different. The inflatable trump like chicken makes an appearance in DC, Hurricane Irma proved devastating as it plowed across the Caribbean with 180mph winds. Opera singer Audrey Luna sang the highest note ever performed, at the Met Opera in NYC and the mostly underwater continent called Zealandia in the south Pacific was discovered, astonishing scientists.

This past summer, Diana and Matt came to a Lynch family gathering at Lake Anna and spent time with all of us, we had such fun swimming, enjoying meals together and sharing stories of times gone by and hopes for the future, we created wonderful memories we will never forget.

Then after a wonderful Christmas celebration with those she loved the most we lost her, at the very young age of 55.

Diana lived a beautiful life she saw many things like the Hubble space telescope sent into space and beautiful, ethereal photos from distant galaxies and stars sent back to earth. The creation of the Internet, the music of the Spice Girls, VHS tapes, beanie babies, the TV series Friends and so much more. As a Scorpio Diana was bound and determined to do everything it takes to pursue her aspirations. She had high standards for herself, being undyingly loyal, intelligent, intuitive, strong, passionate, and confident. Diana was all these things and more! A compassionate and wonderful person, a loving wife, a protective mother, a supportive sister, and sister-in-law, a loyal friend, and a concerned citizen of our world.

On a personal note, Diana welcomed me into the family with open arms, she was kind, supportive, funny, and oddly, introduced me to English cucumbers, which now I really love, and I admit I think of her each time I see one. In sharing my life with her she was such an advocate. Although I didn’t get to spend a lot of time with Diana, for me the thing that stood out was a light that glowed from her. I saw it each time we were together. She will be missed by all of us, her absence will be felt, but we can remember her and keep that light alive, by sharing our memories of her, often.

I want to end with one of her favorite quotes:

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it is called the present.

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Diana Elizabeth (Lynch) Fierst. Tribute by Nancye Lynch Meyers (Sister) at the January 2,2022 celebration of Life)

I would first like to read a short poem which describes the type of person Diana was to all of us.

We all need someone we can just be with, plans or no plans, clean house or not.

We all need that someone we can really trust – who’s quick to listen, quick to laugh, quick to think the best of us.

Someone who makes every minute a little bit richer just by being there with us.

That “someone” for all of us, was Diana

**** Our little sister, Diana, has always been our family’s SUNSHINE. Her outgoing, warm and caring personality started the moment she entered this world on November 7, 1967. At that moment, Diana became child #7 to our proud parents. She was a beautiful, content, blond-haired baby girl who immediately captured the most special place in our family’s heart. God truly gave each of us the most beloved of gifts that day.

Diana’s precious, adorable “SMILE” and that glorious twinkle in her eyes, would always make your heart melt with love and joy. She deeply connected with so many people over her short life and was truly loved by all who crossed her life path.

We can’t help but to be so grateful for our long, overdue family gathering at Lake Anna in September. Covid kept us separated for far too long. We can ALL hang on tight to the wonderful memories we made from those four glorious days together, especially our time around the fire pit listening to Diana’s stories, she is openly shared with us.

Diana was a loving wife and best friend to her husband Matt, the absolute love of her life. Soulmates without a doubt. She was a loving and proud mother to her daughter Maya and son Jack. She was especially proud to be a grandmother (Mimi) to 1yr old Kaiden, who brought a new type of love to her heart. She also adored her son-in-law Travis as well as Christina, who she loved as her own daughter. And finally, her loving fur baby, Ringo - her constant and loving companion. To say the Fierst family is completely devastated is an understatement. Please keep Diana’s family in your prayers as they navigate life without their SUNSHINE.

Rest In Peace my dear little sister, Diana Elizabeth Lynch Fierst. We love you to the moon and back. You will be missed beyond what any words can describe.

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It is with profound sadness and deep love that we mourn the passing of Diana Elizabeth Fierst of Apex, NC on December 26, 2022, at the age of 55. She passed away peacefully in her sleep and transitioned to eternal rest after a Christmas Day filled with love and quality time with her family.

Diana will be lovingly remembered by her husband and best friend of 27 years, Matthew (Matt) Fierst; Children: Maya Fierst and Jackson (Jack) Fierst (girlfriend Christina Pate); Grandchild: Kaiden Fierst; Siblings: Janis Mullaney (David), Richard Lynch (Pam), Dan Lynch (Jill),Nancye Meyers (Bill), Tim Lynch (Sandy), Kelli Lynch; In-laws: Theodore and Judith (Ted and Judy) Fierst; Andrew Fierst (Deborah); John Fierst (Tricia), Kristen Donovan (James), and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends who will all miss her tremendously.

Diana is preceded in death by her parents John (Jack) and Elizabeth (Betsy) Lynch, sister, Christine Nixon, and brother-in-law, Theodore (Ted) Nixon Jr.

Diana was born on November 7, 1967 in Fairfax, VA to the late John (Jack) and Elizabeth (Betsy) Lynch. She was blessed with a large, loving and vibrant family, was the seventh of eight children, and always jokingly claimed she was the favorite. As the second youngest of eight children, she was a curious observer, always watching the exploits and adventures of her older siblings, and she was also a special protector and confidant of her youngest sister Kelli. Diana grew up in Annandale, VA and was a graduate of Bishop O’Connell High School. She went to college at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and soon after graduating, started her career in marketing where she was very successful and progressive in this field. Diana met her soul mate, Matt, in Alexandria, VA and, shortly after, they married and built a beautiful life together filled with wonderful memories, adventures, travels, and an amazing calling for parenthood. Diana and Matt conquered everything together and had such an admirable partnership that was recognized and embraced by all. They adopted two cherished children from Russia and raised their beautiful family in Apex, NC. Her husband, children, and grandson were the lights of her life. Matt was her steadfast rock, and she joyously watched Maya flourish as a mother, Jack bravely join the military, and Kaiden take in life with an infectious smile and happy spirit. Diana adored her husband, children, grandson, family, and friends.

Diana will be missed tremendously by all who loved her, and to say everyone loved her is an understatement. She was a nurturer, advice-giver, role model, advocate, servant leader, trusted advisor, comedian, life of the party, shoulder to cry on, pillar of strength, career woman, best friend, steadfast daughter, sister and aunt, loving and supportive wife, and most notably an amazing mother. She was open-minded, welcoming, progressive, and accepting of everyone for who they were. Diana’s empathy, dependability, and creativity made her the glue to her family and friends. She was a wonderful listener who always made herself available and gave such sound and realistic advice, even if it was tough love. She was strong-willed and tactfully outspoken, but loved unconditionally. She was selfless, and would consistently go out of her way to see you smile. Diana was extremely fun and was the resident historian of memories for her family and friends. She was a gifted story- teller and loved sharing memories to reminisce and make others smile. Whether it be sitting around a campfire or a kitchen table, riding in a car, or siting in a boat, she often had everyone doubled over in laughter as she retold stories and made correlations to present situations. As a servant leader, Diana was a Guardian ad Litem for Wake County, NC, and she loved being able to give a voice to children who could not speak for themselves. Diana brought love and light to all those who knew her.

Diana leaves an incredible legacy that we will continue to cherish and foster in our actions of love, advocacy and support for each other as she continues to watch over us. She was an incredible hugger and loved to give and receive warm embraces. Our hearts are aching and yearning for her physical touch, but she would want us to know that she will continue to hug our hearts closely every day. She is always with us and we are fortunate to carry her lasting memory in our souls.

Family will greet friends and guests with light refreshments on Monday, January 2, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM with a prayer service to follow at 2:00 PM at Apex Funeral Home.

Join Zoom Prayer Services on 1/2/23 at 2:00PM

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85273262726?pwd=blBZb3FPMUdibmYyRE5VYTcxK1JwZz09

Meeting ID: 852 7326 2726

Passcode: 480200

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family respectfully asks for donations (monetary or time) to be made to the following organizations:

CHIMES Virginia, Guardian Ad Litem of NC, the American Heart Association.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy can be shared online at apexfuneral.net for the Fierst family.