Diane Marie (Ponick) Farnsworth
Diane Marie (Ponick) Farnsworth
Diane Marie (Ponick) Farnsworth, 70 of Erie, PA passed away peacefully surrounded by her husband and daughters, her whole world, on Saturday, April 20, 2024. She was born in Warren, PA., on October 15, 1953 to the late Anthony C. “Tony” and Rose A. Gigliotti Ponick. She was a proud 1973 graduate of Warren Area High School. It was here in Warren that she met her soulmate, Lee, 47 years ago. The connection was instant, both arriving to their first date in coordinating colors. Diane rocking a mint green pantsuit with a dark green blouse and Lee sporting a dark green leisure suit with a mint green shirt. This connection continued throughout their life together and to Diane’s last breath.
Diane was dedicated to serving others and lived her life to make others smile. From the moment she became a mom, she gave all she had to her girls to see them succeed and become strong women and loving mothers, just like her. Diane worked countless nights to provide everything from the latest fashions to the best homemade cookies. She was a proud grandmother to her four grandsons and cherished the time they spent together, learning late in life what a power play and OT shootout win meant. Diane also loved her work and the friends she made at Blair Corporation and McDonald’s until her retirement. While she was a proud Catholic, she enjoyed joining her husband at his Lutheran parish and spent her retirement as an active member of Abiding Hope Lutheran Church. She also loved spending time out on the rails in taking train excursions with her husband and enjoying friendships made through his hobby of model railroading.
Diane was such a loving, selfless person who will be missed by all who were blessed to have known her. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Lee, daughters Lisa (Mark) Salamon and Lori Keener, grandsons Aaron, Alex, Austin, and Ryan, and brother, Anthony C. “Tony” Ponick, Jr. of Warren, PA. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Debra Taft and Donna Ponick, son-in-law, Matthew Keener, and sister-in-law, Sandy Ponick.
Friends may call at Abiding Hope Lutheran Church, 2402 W Grandview Blvd, Erie, PA, on Thursday, April 25, 2024 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. To honor Diane’s bright and feisty spirit, we ask visitors to skip the traditional black of mourning and instead brighten the room by wearing shades of green, leisure suits optional. Immediately following, a funeral service will be conducted by Rev. Karen Parsh, officiating. Family will then bring Diane home for internment in Oakland Cemetery in Warren, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to support the church she so loved: Abiding Hope Lutheran Church (2402 W Grandview Blvd, Erie, PA 16509) or to an organization close to her heart: Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) (204 Sigma Drive – RIDC Park, Pittsburgh, PA 15238).
Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1595 West 38th St are handling arrangements. Condolences may be sent at www.bruggerfuneralhomes.com