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Diana French

01/16/1933 - 09/26/2020

Diana French (nee Cherem), passed away peacefully on September 26, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona at the age of 87. She was born on January 16, 1933 in Royal Oak, Michigan, the 5th of 12 children. Living in Detroit most of her life, she met her husband Fred in 1954 when he was in the Coast Guard. They were married for 49 years before Fred passed away in 2004.

From the time Diana was a child, she was always helping people. When she saw someone alone, she would automatically go to them and address their needs. Her desire to help led her to work with many charitable organizations over her lifetime. Her greatest achievement was the co-founding of Brother to Brother International, a charity that matched companies with donations of food, medicine, hospital equipment and supplies to over 1600 charities needing them. She personally traveled to 13 countries in fulfilling the organization’s mission. In Nigeria, she is honored by those she helped with the naming of a village hospital after her.

She retired from Brother to Brother as Executive Director after 45 years of helping others. In appreciation for her lifetime of service, Diana was presented with the Daily Points of Light award from the Points of Light organization founded by President George H. W. Bush.

She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Linda Marie French, Jeffrey Paul (Debra) French, Michele Kathleen (Joseph) Verderame; cherished granddaughter Natalie (Michael) Christiansen and grandson Andrew Verderame; brother Gabe (Barbara) Cherem and sisters Luda Huff and Pola Bowden.                                                     

A celebration of life will be held at Desert Cross Lutheran Church in Tempe, Arizona at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Desert Cross Lutheran Church, 8600 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe, Arizona, 85284.

 

Condolences

  • Mrs French was such a joy to be around. Always a smile on her face. She will be missed. Love, hugs and prayers to you all.

  • Diana will be missed by many. I had the pleasure of meeting Diana and I loved her from day one, she was the absolute nicest lady and real joy to be around always had a smile on her face!!!!! Hugs and prayers to all❤️❤️

  • Truly lovely lady and a good friend to all. She has been sadly missed as she suffered thur life as it is today. She surely will be missed in our lives as life is .

  • I met Diana through the 55plus group at Desert Cross Lutheran Church. She was instrumental in organizing our outings and especially the Christmas parties. Her decorations were always top notch. Our group will certainly miss her guidance

  • Mickie churchill

    I will cherish my sweet memories of Diane forever! I met her while working where she lived for 7 years at Mtn Park Senior Living. She truly was a special lady with a beautiful smile and a BIG heart. She has entered the gates of Heaven and now is looking down on us and she is free of pain. A big thank you goes out to her for everything she did for the employee’s of Mtn Park. She will be missed .❤️🙏🏼 but never forgotten . RIP Diana

  • Mary and David Miller

    Diana was pure JOY!

  • Diana had a heart for the hurting and found ways to make a big impact in the lives of the needy!

  • Dianna was truly a blessing to know! She was a loving and caring lady who loved the Lord! She is missed!

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