Diane E. Gillig

She was born Sept. 21, 1949 in Tiffin, Ohio, the oldest of 11 children to the late Rollie and Joyce Florence. Tiffin always held a special place in her heart.

She married Smily Gillig of Tiffin and raised three daughters, settling in Columbus. She and Smily were married for 55 years until her passing. He bought her flowers every week.

Diane attended Ohio University and obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from The Ohio State University.

Diane was a Speech and Language Pathologist for the Columbus Public School Systems for 37 years and retired in 2012.

She and Smily enjoyed traveling around the world, playing cards with friends, going out to dinner, and taking walks in the park. Family meant everything to Diane and she loved her siblings and children a lot, but especially loved her eight grandchildren and one great grandchild.

She brought life, fun, humor and laughter wherever she went. She was known for sending greeting cards filled with confetti, leaving handwritten notes in her grandchildren’s rooms to find after she left, making awesome homemade spaghetti sauce, starting inside jokes with family and friends, and singing and dancing around the house. She helped a lot of people and made the world a better place.

She is survived by her husband Smily and daughters Laura (Scott) Varn, Julie (Keith) McWherter and Kathy (Tom) Richardson and her beloved grandchildren Cody McWherter, Austin McWherter, Malia McWherter, Jake Varn, Grace McWherter, Madison Varn, Blake Richardson and Madaline Richardson and a great grandchild Bostyn. Siblings are Peg (Jim) Greek, John (Maxine) Florence, Susie Allen, Sonny (Teresa) Florence, Whitey (Christy) Florence, Paulette Tiell, MaryAnn Florence, Joann Florence, Steve (Kathy) Florence and Barb Florence. There are dozens of nieces and nephews as well.

Visitation will be held Saturday, Oct. 11 at Schoedinger Worthington, 6699 North High St, Worthington, OH 43085 from noon to 1:50 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to the American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society.