Diana Louise James, 91, passed away on Jan 31 in Nampa. A true rarity, a shining light in the world, Diana, through her remarkable inner beauty and deeds, established a lasting ideal toward which we all might aspire. The impacts of her time here among us will continue to ripple ever onward. Born Diana Louise Carter in Highland Park, MI, July 10, 1931, she was most recently a resident at Autumn Wind Assisted Living in Caldwell. Going back a quarter century, Diana and her husband Max, married since 1985, resided in Meridian beginning in 1997. Max later passed away at the Veteran's Hospital in Boise in 2012. Diana is survived by sons David Howe, Robert Howe and Glen Howe, all Treasure Valley residents. She was preceded in death by her older brother, David Carter, and son Richard Howe, both last residing in Nampa. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren, now numbering more than 20, reside throughout the Treasure Valley and in Midvale. Much to her delight, fully-attended family gatherings occurred annually in honor of her birthday. Diana had a way of making each person feel they shared a special relationship with her - and that made it so. This extended to non-family members, as well, who oftentimes were irresistibly pulled within her orbit. All who so found themselves were invariably enriched by the experience. With a genuinely warm heart, Diana cherished children and loved music and animals. She and Max attended services at the Meridian United Methodist Church and sang in the choir. Diana had an exceptional singing voice. She had occasion to be a church soloist and performed the lead role in a little theater group musical production. Perpetually upbeat and positive, Diana would often burst out in song. She attended various church services at Autumn Wind, in part for the opportunity to join in on the singing. Her favorite television show, not surprisingly, was Lawrence Welk. Even while memory issues continued to worsen, lyrics and melodies came flooding back. Early on in Meridian, Diana and Max founded Christian Writers of Idaho. They were long involved with Toastmasters International. Diana would often prevail in many Toastmasters competitions. Diana's polished topics included specialty presentations on "Grieving" and "Helping Children to Grieve." Those presentations might certainly have proven beneficial in these very circumstances. Diana produced a series of "Bounce Back" books with content similar to the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series. Some of those in attendance tomorrow will have had a story of their own included in a "Bounce Back" book. In 2003, an in-law of Max financed and prevailed upon Diana, then 72, to go to the Philipines and seek out a group of "cemetery kids." These children, some just toddlers, had been living unsheltered and malnourished among the crypts. Diana was to help draw attention to their plight in an effort to raise funds for an orphanage. In a letter to her family back in the States, all of whom had been kept in the dark about her secret departure, she said, "If the Lord somehow calls me to be a missionary, then a missionary I will be." Diana worked for recreation departments in many cities. In Meridian, she taught classes on "Writing Your Life Story." She co-hosted a radio show on KBXL in Boise in the early 2000s entitled, "Encouraging Words." Interviewed were Coach Chris Peterson and other inspirational figures, such as members of the clergy representing all religions in the Treasure Valley. In 2007, it became necessary for Max, a WWII U.S. Navy veteran, to enter the Alzheimer's unit at the Boise V.A. Medical Center, where he received excellent care for over five years. Diana visited several times a week and served for two years as the Family Support Group Coordinator. In 2009, Diana moved in with her son David in Nampa. She began attending services at the Southside Methodist Church. Diana eventually began to experience her own dementia issues. She could become lost while driving. By 2016, with a number of worsening disabilities, Diana would be in need of full-time assisted living care. Several facilities were visited and Autumn Wind selected. Diana asked, "When can I move in?" Diana entered Autumn Wind in January of 2017. She participated in many offered activities. Weekly bible study was never missed. Diana's dementia steadily worsened. She transferred into the Expressions memory care unit in mid-2019. Diana was among the first to contract COVID when facilities like hers were especially hard-hit at the pandemic's emergence. Prayers were requested and received from both the Meridian and Nampa Methodist churches. Diana was hospitalized but, even at age 88, exhibited minimal symptoms. Extra oxygen was never required. Diana was quarantined at a dedicated facility in Boise before returning to Autumn Wind. Diana lived three more years at Autumn Wind and maintained a healthy appetite and her great sense of humor to the end. At what would be a final visit there - final goodbyes were essentially later said and silently acknowledged in the hospital emergency room - Diana laughed out loud and blew kisses to the last to depart. In the emergency room she closed her eyes for the very last time. Services for Diana Louise James will be held Saturday, February 11, at the Meridian United Methodist Church, 235 E. Pine Ave. with an open casket from 1 p.m. to 1:55 p.m. Closed casket memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Interment will occur at a future date in a private ceremony at the Idaho State Veteran's Cemetery. Zeyer Funeral Chapel in Nampa is facilitating. '
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