Mark’s Musings – Jan. 23, 2013

Mark Fortune

Our community lost a beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister and teacher last week. Diane Elson fought a heroic and courageous battle against cancer. And while Diane may have lost the struggle against the cancer that ultimately took her life, she never lost her faith. For those that had the fortunate circumstance to know Diane and call her a friend, I have no hesitation to say that their lives have been forever touched by this brave woman. Her influence will go on.

Diane found her calling as an elementary school teacher not that many years ago, attending college as an adult and taught first grade at Frazeysburg Elementary School. Her influence on the youngster’s lives that she taught and who saw her fight this battle will always have a memory of a kind, passionate and caring person that they loved. Her teaching will go on.

My own personal interactions with Diane, husband Mike and daughter Michaela have shown me much. True love. Courage. Compassion. Humility. A wonderful wife and mother, Diane’s passion for teaching, her character and her kindness will live on through her daughter.

The hundreds of friends who attended the calling hours and the service, providing words of comfort and compassion, show just how many people’s lives the Elson family has touched throughout this community. Whether you knew them from the county fair and llamas, or high school, work, or family relation, everyone knows that there was just something special about Diane. Maybe it was her smile, easy laugh or just her relaxed way of talking. Regardless, you felt like you knew Diane well after only a brief conversation.

But it’s really her smile that captivated you. Throughout this long ordeal, I cannot recall an occasion when she didn’t have a smile on her face. A smile of joy as she watched her daughter graduate with honors, show llamas at the fair or participate in many parades.

And it is that smile – and her faith – that I believe gives Diane’s life even more meaning and a continued influence on those she knew and loved. For while her life’s pursuit was teaching students in a classroom, the lessons that Diane Elson taught were not just about reading and arithmetic. What she taught us are lessons of love, faith and courage. That teaching, the ultimate gift of teaching us what is important in life, will last more than a lifetime and is part of Diane’s legacy of giving to her family, friends and community.

Category: Mark's Musings