Diane Esther Pollard (78) , of Lake Placid , FL ( formerly Southwest Ranches ) went home to meet the Lord o n February 2, 2023, while surrounded by her family . Our world lost a precious ange l. Diane lived a life of devotion to her family as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, grand-mom, great grand-mom , aunt, friend and neighbor. She especially loved cooking for and spending time with her family around the dining room table. Diane was a sweet , understanding and supportive Mother to her 2 sons, Lenny and Shawn. She was Grand-mom to 7 grandchildren and Great grand-mom to 13 great-grandchildren. She was a devoted and loving Wife for 50 years to her honey Leonard Pollard who she loved dearly and looked forward to seeing at the gates of Heaven.

William Leonard Pollard (70) of Lake Placid , (formerly Southwest Ranches) passed away unexpectedly on July 6, 2013 . He and Diane were both born and raised in Hialeah, Florida and met when they were very young teenagers. They eventually married after going steady for several years and married on July 6, 1963.  They took great care of one another, always. He was devoted to her and made sure she had the very best in life and she blessed him with two loving sons while adoring him each and every second of every day. Their endearing love for each other never wavered, never stopped and continues on through their children, Lenny and Shawn Pollard. Leonard and Diane were extremely proud of their boys.

Diane was an avid reader, a homemaker, wonderful cook and she loved her plants and flowers. She could grow anything. In addition to managing her and Leonard's family and home, she was also a trained medical assistant, and an office clerk and parts assistant at Trans Air in Miami. She was a loving sister to her brother Joe and loving daughter to her parents Otto and Mary Esther Bishop, whom she knew would be waiting for her.   She was extremely humorous, loved to laugh about old times and especially those of her childhood adventures and friends. She especially recalled fond memories of her daddy Otto and his meat, fish and poultry shop on 7th avenue in Miami.

Leonard worked for over 50 years at Vista Memorial Gardens as Superintendent of Grounds Maintenance. Both of his boys worked with their dad during their teenage years.  Leonard, was loved by many and made many lifelong friends. He was also an avid bass tournament fisherman, seasoned turkey hunter, and conservationist. Together, h e and Diane spent many seasons deer hunting in Georgia, where he enjoyed good times with his friends and family.  He served as a member and contributor of the Half Track /Full Track Conservation Club of Dade County for over 30 years. As a boy growing up in Dade County, he spent countless hours in the Everglades and witnessed the changes of time in the environment; he shared that love with his sons and their friends. His love of air boating and his beloved camp, " Empty Pockets " , has made its way into the hearts of his sons and grandchildren.

Leonard was a true outdoors man , a terrific and dedicated father, brother and loving son . And as "Granddad" , he was especially proud of his grandchildren. They could always put a smile on his face , even when it included someone putting flowers in his hair.

Diane loved her sweet pets, Sheba her beloved black lab, and in recent years her Persian cat siblings Buddy and Sheba. They brought much comfort and peace to her after Leonard passed. She missed him dearly and they knew it .

Diane was also preceded in death by her brother Joseph Bishop and father and mother, Otto and Mary Esther Bishop. She is survived by her sons, Lenny Pollard (Erin) and Shawn Pollard (Cindie); grandchildren Crystal Adkins (Tim), Michael Pollard (Amanda), James Pollard, Joel Pollard (Ashley), Christina McCandless (Tim), Joseph Repici (Mackenzie), Melody Coulter (William); 13 great-grandchildren Chloe, Timothy, Josef, Michael, Noah, Luke, Daniel, Cheyanne, Colton, Bellamy, Ruel, Owen and Isla.

Our family would like to take the time to express our thanks for the tremendous and extraordinary care, help and love given to our Mother this last year by our neighbors, friends, and the hospice care team. Our beloved Diane is resting in the arms of her sweet Leonard. She is truly home and now with wings with our Heavenly Father.

A Gathering and Reflection Celebration of Life will be held on March 25 th , 2023 from 11:00 – 1:00 at Scott Seawinds Chapel in Lake Placid, Florida on March 25th with her family and friends.