Obituary of Diana L. Poole

Diana Louise (Martin) Poole, age 93, went home to be with her Lord & Savior on February 8, 2025, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's Disease. She resided at Lima Estates in Lima, PA, for the past 13 years, previously residing in Bethel Township for 50 years.

Diana was born and raised in Linwood, Pennsylvania. She was the youngest of six girls and graduated from Eddystone High School in 1949. She married her high school sweetheart, Claude W. Poole, in June of 1952, and they resided in the Aniline Village section of Linwood, moving to Bethel Township in 1963, where she devoted herself to raising her four children. In the early 1970's, having a child with special transportation needs to various DCIU schools in Delaware County, Diana became involved with the Transportation Department of Garnet Valley School District. She went on to have a 30+ year career as a Garnet Valley school bus driver. She was also extremely devoted to her family and valued spending time with, and caring for, her mother and sisters, and she took joy in hosting holiday and family celebrations. After becoming a widow in 1987, Diana enjoyed the hobbies of ceramics and bowling.

Diana was a long time member of Concord Baptist Church in Wilmington, Delaware, serving in their bus ministry for many years and serving as a greeter on many Sundays. As an animal lover her entire life, she was also a member of the Delaware County SPCA. Diana also served as a volunteer at Riddle Hospital for many years.

After moving into Lima Estates in 2011, she became involved in many of the activities there, including the golf putting team, as well as the Wii bowling team, winning medals and championships with both and participating in the Senior Games each year. She also won the title of Miss Lima Estates one year, and she enjoyed the many volunteer opportunities she found there, helping other residents.

Diana is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 35 years, Claude W. Poole, as well as by her parents, Raymond C. and Cordelia V. Martin. She was also the granddaughter of the late Reverend William VanToor who pastored the Marcus Hook Baptist Church in the early 1900s; her five sisters, Phyllis Martin, Gretchen Richardson, Iris Riley, Neva Lehman, and Barbara Jardine. She also had a granddaughter, Hillary Diana (Reeder) Kitchen, who greeted her in heaven.

Diana is survived by her four children; Claudia L (Thomas) Reeder, William A. (Kathleen) Poole, Laura A. (Joseph) Hufnal, and Raymond L. (Diane) Poole. She is also survived by eight grandchildren; Sean Poole; Lindsey Fitz; Jordan Reeder; Verity Miller; Philip, Kenneth, & Jared Hufnal; and Raymond Poole; as well as 21 great-grandchildren, with #22 expected in July.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral service on Friday, February 14th, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Pagano Funeral Home 3711 Foulk Road, Garnet Valley, PA, with calling hours from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM. ,

Interment will be in Lawn Croft Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Diana's memory to Lima Estates-411 N. Middletown Rd. Media, PA 19063 (Resident Assoc of Lima Estates R.A.L.E.) or to Alzheimer's Association (alz.org). Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.paganofuneralhome.com.