Dianne Barr-Cole of Ocean Shores, Washington passed away suddenly on Friday, April 8, 2022. She is survived by Howard (Howie) Jones, her partner in love; Donna Cole, her sister; Dale Cole, her brother; Jason Gansler, her nephew; Melka Myers and Maggie Myers (Di’s granddaughters) and many cousins, friends and colleagues.

Dianne was born in Pasco, Washington to her mother, Marian Cole and her father Howard Barr on Sept. 3, 1946. Dianne was adopted by her dad, Donald Cole in 1954.

She attended Pasco public schools and graduated from high school in 1964. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Central Washington State College (Ellensburg, Washington), her master’s degree from Central Washington University and her Doctorate in Education from the University of Washington. Dianne was passionate about making a difference in children’s lives and made that her life’s work. She taught school in South Bend, Washington; served as Special Education Director in Oregon and Washington, worked to write educational programs, and taught teachers and administrators about how to bring the best education to their students. She was a successful grant writer, bringing many educational tools to the children and educators with which she worked.

She loved to travel by land, air and sea and had a number of willing traveling companions to discover and rediscover new and familiar places in Italy, Germany, Greece, the Caribbean, and the United States to name a few. She was an excellent cook and loved nothing better than to share with and entertain her family and friends. Her favorite holiday of all was Easter and there was always a gathering of friends and family to celebrate.

She was loved by so many and as her mother used to say, “Dianne never knew a stranger!”

So that Dianne will be remembered in your hearts, we ask that you plant a flower or a tree in her honor. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Diabetes Association in her name.

Graveside services will be held on April 20, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Riverview Heights Cemetery, 1200 S. Olympia St., Kennewick, Washington. There will be a social time immediately after the services. Details will be available at the service.

A celebration of life service will be held on April 30, 2022, at 1 p.m. at Galilean Lutheran Church, 824 Ocean Shores Blvd, Ocean Shores, WA. Refreshments immediately following the service.

To join the memorial service online via Zoom go to:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81512536233?pwd=c0RTcXBlTm1ZeXlralphdEgzWTl5QT09

Please take a moment to record your thoughts for the family by signing the on-line register at https://www.colemanmortuary.net/obituary/dianne-barr-cole

https://www.colemanmortuary.net/obituary/dianne-barr-cole