Diane L. Browne

Diane Lenore Browne, 84, of Bowling Green, Ohio, passed away in her home on November 3rd, 2026.

Diane was born in Waterville, Ohio, on April 5, 1942, to Graydon and Pearl (Pickering) Sheperd. Growing up in Haskins, she met her childhood sweetheart, Don Browne, and they married on August 31, 1963. They were best friends and partners for 62 years. She graduated as Valedictorian of the Otsego High School class of 1960, where she participated in many extracurricular activities including student council, twirling as head majorette, and cheerleading – especially enjoying supporting her basketball-star sweetheart. After she finished high school, she attended Mercy School of Nursing in Toledo, graduating in 1963. Following graduation, she worked at numerous hospitals and doctors’ offices in the area until her retirement in 2000. She loved being a nurse and using her skills to care for others.

Diane had a great sense of adventure and fun, and would often say, “Why put off till tomorrow what you could do today?!” In her younger years, she lived life with great gusto, working to make everything she was involved with just a little bit better. She frequently planned surprise weekend adventures to go camping or some other fun activity for the family, loved travel, and enjoyed a wide variety of hobbies. Diane and her husband joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in November 1971. She served in many volunteer positions in the church, including leading both women’s and youth groups. She did her best to follow her Savior, Jesus Christ in His example to serve and love others.

Above all else, she adored her family. She was always happiest when she could spend time with her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She prioritized their happiness and looked for ways to make life just a little brighter for them. No one could ever leave her house without a dark chocolate sweet treat. She was a loving caregiver to her parents and in-laws as they aged, helping them to enjoy their final years.

She is loved and survived by her daughters, Deborah (Steven) Anderson, Deanna Bailey, Denise (Jeffrey) Lake, and Danielle (Jim) Even. She will be dearly missed by her grandchildren Jessica (Shane) Turner, Abigail (Rob) Wallette, Kayla (Brandon) Fagan, Victoria (Jeremy) Green, Connor (Katie) Even, Emily Larsen, Parker (Megan) Lake, Carter Even, Alyssa (Jason) Heckel, Samantha (Henry) Giles, Hailey (Jackson) Angerer, Alexis Bailey, and Caroline Lake. Diane also leaves behind 11 great-grandchildren. She is additionally survived by her brother and friend, Carl (Marian) Sheperd. She was preceded in death by her parents, Graydon and Pearl Sheperd, her stepfather, Lawrence Browne, her sister Doretta Sheperd, her brothers, Graydon and Clayton “Tommy” Sheperd, and her beloved husband, Don.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, November 16th at 11 a.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo, OH 43614 before her interment at Union Hill Cemetery. A livestream broadcast will also be available on the Newcomer website.