Diane C. Colby

MADISON- Diane C. Colby, age 72, passed away on Thursday, March 8, 2012, after battling pancreatic cancer. She was born on Jan. 4, 1940, in Oshkosh, the daughter of Gordon and Agnes Colby. Diane graduated from Mondovi High School in 1958. She received both a bachelor of science and master’s degree in Home Economics from U.W. Stout. Diane continued on at U.W. Madison and earned her Ph.D. in Educational Administration in 1978. She taught at the Northwestern High School in Detroit, Michigan for one year before coming to the West Division Public School in Milwaukee in 1963. She worked there until 1967 when she became the supervising teacher in Home Economics. Diane mentored teachers who were just beginning their career with the Milwaukee Public Schools. She would mentor between 5 and 10 teachers a semester. From 1970 until her retirement in 1996, Diane worked as the Curriculum Specialist in Family and Consumer Education for the Milwaukee Public Schools. She planned the curriculum and was responsible for the first home economics related student chapter in the nation. A scholarship through the FCCLA has been established for the students. Diane enjoyed traveling the world with her wonderful friends. She also enjoyed watching U.W. sports and took particular pride in her cooking. At Bashford United Methodist Church, Diane served on many committees. She was a kind, gentle and generous person. Diane will be greatly missed by her family and friends, including her brother, Foster (Anne); nieces and nephews, Jennifer (Jim) Gottinger and their children, Joseph, Anne, Thomas and Mary, Christopher (Anne) Colby and their children, Claire, Anna, Maxwell and Charlotte and Elizabeth (Jon) Ingrisano and their children, Emma, Rose and Charlie. Diane was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral services will be held at BASHFORD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 329 North Street, Madison, at 10 a.m., on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, with the Rev. Francis Deaner presiding. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., on Monday, March 12, 2012 and also at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday. Memorials may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, Calif., 90266 or visit www.pancan.org. Memorials may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, Calif., 90266 or visit www.pancan.org. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., on Monday, March 12, 2012 and also at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday. Funeral services will be held at BASHFORD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 329 North Street, Madison, at 10 a.m., on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, with the Rev. Francis Deaner presiding.