Diane Lambert Holt had a wonderful life, and would like to thank you all for being part of it. Born in Centralia to Joanne and Howard Lambert and eventually becoming a big sister to Greg Lambert and Lisa (Lambert) Bigler, Diane attended Centralia High School and followed up by getting her teaching certificate at SIU. Diane met and married Terry Forbes, had sons Beau and Jared (JJ) Jacob Forbes, and enjoyed a long and fulfilling career as a high school teacher to children with behavioral and learning difficulties in Christopher, IL. Diane also coached cheerleading, played softball, and became a terrific golfer, all while cultivating a wide network of treasured friends. In time Diane and Terry divorced, and a few years later she was able to reconnect with her highschool sweetheart Rick Holt, a Veteran, a Carpenter, and an exceptional maker of apple butter and jams. Rick and Diane enjoyed ten wonderful years together in Christopher, during which time Diane retired from teaching, and survived cancer not once but twice.
Life gives and takes; Rick passed away in 2016, and though this was a difficult loss, Diane was in turn blessed with two grandbabies around the same time, Ronan and Maisie. Diane was also lucky enough to find love again when she met Mike Mulvin, a retired painter, and moved back home to Centralia. Diane fully threw herself into being a wonderfully supportive Grandmother and a very active gardener, and during this time Diane developed an extensive interest in traveling, holiday decorating, and living the good life. After some very happy years Diane began to struggle with MSA (multiple systems atrophy). As her health grew more difficult to manage, Diane became particularly fond of midnight drives with Mike and her son Jared, and lived comfortably thanks to their love, attention, and steadfast care. Diane’s body grew ill, but her heart was always full.
Diane lit up the room wherever she went, and will be missed terribly. On behalf of her family, we would like to extend our grateful thanks to everyone who cared for Diane over the years. Diane requested that there be no service, so in lieu of a formal gathering, please live your lives to the fullest and never be shy in telling family, friends, and loved ones that they are loved. Diane is survived by her sons, by Mr. Mike Mulvin, by her brother & sister and nieces and nephews, her grandbabies, and her many friends. So goes yet another child of the 60’s, and may your lives be as fun and fulfilling, and may you all find as much love, as Diane found in hers. We’ll think of Diane every time we watch ‘White Christmas’ during the holidays, and every time we look up into a sky full of stars during a late night drive.
Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home and Cremation Services at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, are honored to be of service to Diane’s Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com.
