Diane was born July 10, 1943 in Duluth, Minnesota. She worked as a bank teller, in a department store, was a Den Mother when the children were young, and was a secretary at DeNooyer Chevrolet for over 22 years prior to retiring.
Diane will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
She met the love of her life, Patrick, after a parade in Duluth – and from that moment on, they were inseparable and married for 63 years! After Patrick completed his service in the Air Force, they settled in his hometown of Erie, Michigan, where they married and built a beautiful life together with their children. In 1978, the family moved to Holland, Michigan for a new opportunity, and she embraced the change with her signature spirit of adventure.
She found joy in the outdoors – camping, sailing, canoeing, and simply being beside her husband, no matter the activity, weather, or what back woods dirt road they were on. Another source of great joy and happiness, though came from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She adored baking with them when they were small, hosting sleepovers filled with giggles and just time playing, laughing, and being present. Those little ones were truly the light in her life.
She also had a creative spirit, finding joy in arranging flowers and expressing herself through small, beautiful touches.
Though rheumatoid arthritis limited her in later years, her heart remained full. She continued to find joy in the presence of her family, especially the youngest among them, whose energy and affection brought her endless delight.
She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Patrick McCarty; children Guy Michael McCarty, David Paul McCarty, Dawn Carolyn (Richard) VanderKallen; 8 grandchildren, Cassandra Houtman, Michelle McCarty, April Johnson, Kyle (Brie) VanderKallen, Melissa TerVoort, Mackenzie McCarty, Jamie (Richard) Moore; 7 great grandchildren, Peyton, Axell, Stella, Emma, Athena, Nick, Presley, and Anastasia; many extended family and friends.
A memorial service to celebrate Diane’s life will be 4:00pm Monday, September 15, 2025 at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland.
Visitation will be Monday from 2-4:00pm prior to the service at the funeral home.
Family and friends are welcome to celebrate Diane at the VanderKallen residence on Azalea Avenue in Holland following the service.
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