Obituary of Diane Aldyth Grinde

How do you say goodbye to the person who has always been there for you?  The one who taught you right from wrong, fixed your scraped knees and got you through those teenage angst years.  The one who always calmed you down when you called in panic with a sick kid.   You do it with a lot of tears and heartache.

Mom passed away on Monday, May 31, 2021 with her daughters by her side. 

Diane Aldyth Novak was born December 16, 1932.  She was one of eight children born to Florence and Daniel Novak.  She grew up in Kent, Washington and attended the Kent School District from Kindergarten through High School.  She then worked as a waitress in the Kent Chinese Restaurant where she met her beloved Joe.

She married the love of her life, Elling Joseph Grinde on May 17, 1952.  They had four children, Thomas Grinde, Elling Joseph Grinde, Jr.,  Tami Ewing and Jill Grinde-Leach.  She lost Dad to cancer in 1990.  Tom to cancer in 2012. 

She loved to gamble, travel and garden. She was an amazing bowler.  She would listen to Engelbert Humperdinck and attend his concerts.  She loved her General Hospital Soap opera, and watched it from the beginning.  She never missed a Mariner's game on television. She loved her grandchildren beyond words. 

 That’s what she liked to do, but who she was, what she taught by example, was how to be a warm, loving person, who always greeted people with a smile and a kind word.   She left this world with dignity and grace.  One last lesson learned. 

She is survived by her brothers Richard, John and Allan Novak.  Her sister Veronica McCaw.  Grandchildren Roscoe Grinde.  Nathaniel Ewing, Erica Ewing McCullough, Emily Ewing and Shawna Grinde.  And her Goddaughter, Cindi Nutter.

 Thanks for everything Mom.  I already miss you so much, but know that you are with Dad and Tom and there is no more pain. 

  I will be listening for the thunder, then I’ll know you are bowling with the angels and hitting that perfect 300 game.