Diana Lynne Martin, 80, of Indianapolis, IN, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 1, 2025. Born on February 17, 1944, Diana lived a rich and vibrant life defined by her deep love for her family, her passion for animals, her delight in the beauty of birds, and her enduring fascination with ancestry.
Diana’s family was the cornerstone of her existence.
She loved and cherished her children: Kellie Brown, Sandy (John) Pierandozzi, Roger (Charmaine) Johnson, Mashel Daniels, Jeffrey (Rebecca) Brown, and Brandon Brown. Her heart expanded with pride and joy for her numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she loved beyond measure. Diana also held close her sisters, Donna McCoy, Jodi Terranella, and Patricia Thompson, as well as her many nieces and nephews, weaving a tapestry of love that spanned generations. She was preceded in death by her son, Howard (Tammy) Johnson III, her beloved daughter, Johanna DelRosa, and her loving parents, Calvin "Mac" and Betty "Jean." Diana’s passion for ancestry brought her family’s history to life—she spent countless hours tracing her lineage, uncovering stories of her forebears, and sharing these treasures with her loved ones. She took immense pride in connecting the past to the present, ensuring her family’s roots were never forgotten.
A true friend to all creatures, Diana’s love for animals was boundless. She welcomed pets into and around her home with open arms, treating them as cherished members of the family. God’s creatures brought her endless comfort and companionship, and she was known to spoil them with treats and affection. Diana’s fascination with birds was equally profound—she’d watch finches, cardinals, blue jays, robins, and hummingbirds with a quiet awe. She often shared stories of their antics with her family, her eyes sparkling with delight at their beauty and grace.
Diana’s warmth, generosity, and gentle spirit touched everyone she met. Whether she was gathering her family for a meal, tending to her furry friends, recounting tales of her ancestors, or simply sitting in the stillness to listen to the birdsong, she lived with an open heart and a contagious sense of wonder.
A graveside memorial service to celebrate Diana’s life will be held on March 29, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Union Chapel Cemetery, 8301 Union Chapel Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46240. A Celebration of life service will follow from 3PM to 7PM located at The District Tap: 3720 E 82nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46240.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Biscuit Factory Animal Rescue (207 North State Street P.O. Box 1101 Greenfield, IN 46140 website Biscuit Factory Animal Rescue ) in Diana’s memory, honoring her lifelong devotion to the creatures she adored.
Diana Lynne Martin’s legacy of love will live on in the hearts of her family, in the flutter of wings she so dearly treasured, and in the ancestral stories she wove into the fabric of their lives.
