Diane Marlow

LEXINGTON-Diane Alford Marlow, 68, died July 7, 2011 after a long fight with lung cancer. The family wishes to thank the compassionate care of Dr. Marshall, Dr. Madden and all of their respective staff members. They made her last years and especially the last week as comfortable as possible. Diane enjoyed sixteen years of marriage to her husband and loved the combined family of her two daughters and her husband’s three daughters and one son. They were all her children and she loved them equally with all her heart.

Diane is survived by her husband, Dan Marlow; mother, Katherine Alford; sister, Debra (Nelson) Gammans; children, Wendy Waddle, Christy (Mark) Pernat, Mark Marlow, Laura Marlow, Anne (Alex) Beuhring, and Lynn (Tom) Van Tiem; grandchildren, Tyler Waddle, Kayla Marlow, Ian Swiedler, Riley Pernat, Kevin Beuhring, Ella Beuhring, Tommy Van Tiem, Evelyn Van Tiem, Joe Van Tiem, and Elodie Pernat. The grandchildren were the light and love of Diane’s life.

Diane started her career with the state government at South Carolina Parks Recreation and Tourism, where she did double duty as a state employee and also served as the Executive Director of Keep America Beautiful of South Carolina. In that role she was very active in bringing the Adopt a Highway from Texas to South Carolina and in raising the public’s awareness of the damage litter does to our beautiful state. From PRT Diane went to the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling. She was a project manager for the office’s outreach and education programs, working closely with schools across the state on curriculum materials and setting up recycling programs as well as making countless presentations to students. In addition, she was the office’s resident expert on backyard composting, helping recycling coordinators and residents.

Diane loved people. She was a cheerleader and she carried that enthusiasm over to her adult life. Her love of life was contagious and as cheerleading captain and homecoming queen she inspired others to enjoy and celebrate all of life’s moments. She was always ready to give an encouraging word to those in need. She participated in a number of beauty contests, including the Miss Georgia Pageant, where she was voted Miss Congeniality by her peers. She was very active in the Girl Scouts for many years. She loved children and also taught swimming for many years. She dedicated her life to be of service to this wonderful world and its people.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church, 5503 Sunset Blvd., Lexington, SC. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, July 11, 2011 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel.

nts under the direction of Caughman-Harman Funeral Home - Lexington Chapel, Lexington, SC.