Barbara Ann (Ruth) Diener

Barbara A. (Ruth) Diener

Barbara A. (Ruth) Diener, 73, of Mount Joy, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 15, 2015 surrounded by her children at Hospice and Community Care, Mount Joy.  She was born Wednesday, March 11, 1942 in Reading, PA to the late William L. and Pauline (Helm) Ruth.  She was preceded in death by her husband Ray R. Diener, to whom she was married for 42 years.

Barbara graduated with a B.A. in Elementary Education from Elizabethtown College in 1964, and was a schoolteacher in the Lancaster area until the birth of her first child in 1967.  Throughout her life she continued to share her gifts as teacher; with her own children and grandchildren, as a Sunday School teacher, and as a preschool teacher at Elizabethtown Community Nursery School.   With her husband Ray, she founded Elizabethtown Crystal Pure Water Company in 1989, and helped grow the business from a single location in Elizabethtown to 19 locations in 6 different counties.

Barb was a long-time member of Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren, and was an active participant in many church activities and causes.  Her charitable work on behalf of disadvantaged women and children was near to her heart, as evidenced by her contributions to Brethren Housing Association, Brittany’s Hope Foundation, and many other organizations.

Barb was a creative person with a gift for making everything around her beautiful; she was an accomplished artist, gardener, cook, and seamstress.  She loved nature and being outside, and had an unusual talent for spotting four-leaf clovers while out for a walk.  A beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, she effortlessly made everyone in her life feel important and special.  Her loving heart and generous spirit endeared her to all she met.  From the old and sick to the littlest child, many relied on her strength and sweet smile to make their day brighter.

She will be dearly missed by her children; Sharon L. Taraschi and husband Stephen, of West Chester, John D. Diener and wife Anna of Salt Lake City, UT and Susan B. Diener and husband Gavin Graff of Lancaster, as well as five grandchildren.  She is survived by her brother William Ruth and wife Lisa of Reading, and sister Susan Kershner and husband George of Reading.

A service of remembrance will be held on Saturday April 25 at 1:00 pm at Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren, 777 Mount Joy Street, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Barb’s memory to Brethren Housing Association and Brittany’s Hope Foundation.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the Miller-Sekely Funeral Home & Crematory, 130 North Market Street, Elizabethtown, PA  17022.  Condolences and memories may be shared at www.millerfuneralhome.com .