Diane M Latshaw
February 15, 1946-August 1, 2021
Diane M Latshaw, 75, of Toms River, passed away peacefully at home on August 1, 2021 after a long fight with many chronic illnesses. She was born on February 15, 1946 in Audubon, NJ to the late Allen and Ruthella (Smalley) Von Steenburg. She lived in Audubon throughout much of her childhood before moving with her family to Freehold, then Neptune and then Toms River. She graduated from Toms River High School in 1964. She began her career as a legal secretary while still in high school, working for the Lomell Law Firm. For a few years while her children were small, she stayed home full time, returning to work first as a bookkeeper for First National Bank and then continuing as a legal secretary again at the Lomell Law Firm, where she worked for more than thirty years once her children were in school. She finished her career at the Law Offices of Bonnie Kass-Viola. She loved helping clients and keeping the attorneys she assisted organized! She was a member of the Ocean County Legal Secretaries’ Association and was the recipient of their highest honor, Legal Secretary of the Year.
Diane was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church, where she served in many ministries, including Interfaith Hospitality Network, Kids for Christ, the United Methodist Women and the Soup Kitchen. She particularly enjoyed helping in the church kitchen. When she could no longer stand, the ladies in church still made a place for her there by providing her with her very own stool. On Sunday mornings, she loved nothing more than seeing her grandchildren sing in the choir. She helped for many years at the Cedar Grove United Methodist Church’s Church Suppers as well.
Diane is survived by her daughter Traci and her husband Michael, her son Jay and his wife Cathy, all of Toms River. She was a cherished grandmother to Diane and her fiancée, Paige, of Falls Church, VA, and to Joseph, David and Emily, all of Toms River. She is also survived by her brother Allen Von Steenburg and his wife Lola, of The Villages, FL, her sister Ruthella Hughes and her husband Howard, of McMinnville, OR and her brother David Von Steenburg and his wife Lorraine, of Beachwood, as well as many loving nieces and nephews.
Diane was a kind and gentle spirit, with a smile for everyone. Despite many serious health issues, she remained positive, gracious and loving. She loved to cook for others and was famous for her potato salad, which was required for nearly every family event. She laughed and cried easily, loving with empathy all of those around her. She will be deeply missed.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on August 14, 2021 in the Sanctuary at First United Methodist Church of Toms River, 129 Chestnut Street. The service will stream live at https://youtu.be/kES4r9dIUKM. Donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Toms River.
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