"It's nice to be natural when you're naturally nice."  That was how Diane Weyant's classmates described her in her Yorktown Heights High School yearbook. She surely lived up to that description for the balance of her 89 years.

Dianthe Weyant Smith was born to Kenneth and Ethel (Peterson) Weyant on August 27, 1934 and grew up on the Weyant family farm in Yorktown Heights. She fondly remembered her childhood with her parents, her beloved aunts and her pony, Ginger, even through the trials and scarcities of World War II. Diane excelled at sports and attended the University of Connecticut where she was a member of the cheerleading squad.

She met the love of her life, Cal Smith, at an auction.  Her dad became an antique dealer after the war and Cal was working for his own father, Bob Smith, in the auction business. It was a cold day. Diane was chilly soCal gave her his jacket to wear. During their courtship, she once knit him socks.  From the very beginning, they warmed each other's hearts and lives for over 68 years of marriage.

Diane and Cal Smith were married on June 11, 1955.  Diane moved to Pleasant Valley and into the Smith family home on the dairy farm.  They shared that home with Cal's parents and  grandmother.   Along with farming, Cal and his father began an auction business which became known as Pleasant Valley Auction Hall.  Diane was a central part of that from the time she joined the family. She took deep pride in her role as the Chief Financial Officer and credited her time working as a bank teller for her strong record keeping in the business.

Along the way, Diane and Cal had two daughters, Marjorie and Martha. They used their own hands to buildtheir home on the farm and moved out of the farmhouse. They lived there for 63 of their 68 years of marriage. They enjoyed their home, their family and the life they built together. They enjoyed travel in their motor homes and saw much of the country that way.

After they sold the auction business, they were better able to enjoy time together traveling and playing golf. (Diane was a seriously competitive golfer!) They wintered in Florida and made many new friends there. They traveled abroad and throughout the United States.

Throughout her entire life, Diane cherished her Swedish heritage. Along with her sister, she carried on the tradition of the Christmas Eve Smorgasbord-learned from her mother and grandparents and passed on to her children and grandchildren. It was a high point of the year for the family.

Diane is survived by her loving husband, Cal, daughters, Marjorie Smith and Martha McCullagh, beloved son-in-law, Charles McCullagh, two granddaughters, Sarah McCullagh, husband Erick Dowell and Laura McCullagh, sister, Deborah Weyant Bush, brother-in-law Craig Bush and nephew Joshua Bush.
Diane's family is grateful to those who helped her over the past year. Darryl Sue Rea and Sharon Kalake have been so very attentive and kind to her and Cal. They allowed her to live as she chose as safely as possible. Darryl Sue's custard and her son, Cory, were sometimes the incentive needed to start her day. Thanks are also extended to the staff and community at The Fountains at Millbrook. There are no adequate words to describe the level of care and the compassion for her and her family provided by the Vassar Hospital staff during Diane's various visits over the last year.

Diane was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Pleasant Valley as well as the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Pleasant Valley Fire Department, Rotary International, the Museum Village at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds and the Pleasant Valley Grange.

In accordance with Diane's wishes, she will be cremated and interred in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery in a private family service. A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church at 1576 Main Street, Pleasant Valley on December 20, 2023 at 11:00 am.  A reception will follow immediately thereafter.
In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with Diane's passion for children and animals, her family suggests thatdonations be made in her memory to Grace Smith House or the Dutchess County SPCA.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Allen Funeral Home, Pleasant Valley.