Esther Diane Thornberry

Esther Diane Thornberry, born July 7, 1934 in Indianapolis, passed away on November 12, 2011. She attended Shortridge High School and Butler University. Diane was a member of Second Presbyterian Church for over 40 years, serving as a Deacon, Elder, and Health Care Volunteer. She was a member of Job's Daughters (Honored Queen) and the Order of the Eastern Star. Music, art and reading were important parts of her life. She had been a member of the Hamilton County Artists Association and the Indianapolis Art League, creating beautiful oil and pastel still lifes. Diane was quite the pianist as well. She took ballroom dancing lessons and loved every minute of them. No matter how busy she was, she volunteered her time whenever and wherever needed. Diane became a nurse later in life and cared for many. As was so eloquently said on the day she died, "She gave to the world way more than she took in return." Diane is survived by her children, Cindy Bushey (David), Phil Thornberry (Patty), Kathy Patterson (Kevin), Doug Thornberry (Karen), and Judy Julian (Tom Bandy); 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and her brother, C. Daniel Yates (Diana). She was preceded in death by her parents, John Henry Yates and Esther Mary (Mogab) Yates, and her brother, John David Yates. Special thanks to the extraordinarily skilled and compassionate people at Springmill Meadows for taking care of our mother. Thanks also to the wonderful people at Heartland Hospice for helping keep Mom comfortable and for comforting us. A celebration of Diane's life will be held on Thursday, November 17 at 2 PM at Flanner and Buchanan- Hamilton Memorial Park, 4180 Westfield Road, Westfield, IN, with calling from 11 AM until the time of service. Burial will be at Hamilton Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Indianapolis Chapter, 50 E. 91st Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240 (www.alz.org), or to a charity of the donor's choice. A full tribute to Diane's life may be viewed online at www.flannerbuchanan.com.