Diane was one of the original group that had the vision of St.Francis. St. Francis has been an Intercal part of her life, being a very active board member, involved with the day-to-day activities at the shelter. Growing up as an animal lover, watching lives saved every day is her passion for life. The light in the dog’s or cat’s eyes and the happiness of the new adopter is what keeps her coming back every day. 

The motivation to start St. Francis was reading the unfathomable numbers of animals euthanized senselessly. We see the numbers in our community continually going down due to our efforts of low income spay and neutering and adoption. She claims some of her most rewarding days have come from watching broken and abused animals come in to St. Francis and leave healed, and heading to a new home to be treated like royalty.

Diane is a member of the Ladies Professional Golf Association, and was the women’s golf coach at Southern Illinois University for 25 years. Holds degrees from both Stephens College and the University of Missouri – Columbia. She has four animals, all rescues from St. Francis, and last but not least is addicted to Diet Coke.