Diane Esther Linn Samuelson, the daughter of Charles and Readell St. Martin Linn, was born in Los Angeles, California on April 22, 1955. On Jan. 31, 2016, surrounded by loving family and friends, she succumbed to cancer at her Ferndale home following a fierce and courageous battle which she fought with grace and dignity. Diane leaves us with great sorrow but likewise with powerful inspiration.

Diane grew up in Los Angeles graduating from Alexander Hamilton High School in 1973. She graduated from Humboldt State University in 1981 with a double major in art and child development and an elementary teaching credential. She went on to teach at Salmonberry Pre-school in Westhaven and began her career as a kindergarten teacher at Ferndale Elementary School in 1986 where, for 29 years, she deftly imparted her passion for learning and literacy to her beloved students. Countless children benefited from Diane’s dedicated, creative and ever inspiring stewardship of so many young minds and hearts. In recognition of her exceptional teaching skills, Diane was nominated for and received an Humboldt County Schools Excellence in Teaching Award in 2007. Even after she retired, she volunteered her time to support reading at Ferndale Elementary. The only children she loved more than her students were her son, Kaimana Cook, her daughter, Kalista Cook Hickman, and her adored grandchildren.

Diane was passionate about art in all forms; her creativity was both joyful and vibrant. She excelled as a gourmet cook, photographer and jewelry designer. There are countless people in her community and beyond who proudly wear her Moonshadow Jewelry creations. After retiring from teaching in 2012, she continued to give back to her community by serving on the board of the Ferndale Children’s Center and as a co-president of the child-based service organization Delta Kappa Gamma.

Her loving family, extended family, and the legion of friends that Diane leaves behind, will cherish her legacy of unconditional love. She was forgiving, counted her blessings daily, was generous to a fault, could find the good in any negative situation, and was never heard to say a harsh word about anyone. In Ron Samuelson, the love of her life, she found a partner who loved her deeply and reflected and lived those same values. They married in 2010 and spent time traveling which included trips to Hawaii, numerous places throughout the western United States, and cruises to Alaska. Diane frequently told others how fortunate she was to marry into the Samuelson family, who welcomed her with love. She often proudly and adoringly stated that, “Between Ron and I, we have five children and nine (soon to be eleven) grandchildren. I am so blessed!”

Diane was pre-deceased by her father, Charles Linn, her mother, Readell Linn Helfgott, and her step-father, Paul Helfgott. She leaves behind her loving husband, Ron Samuelson, son, Kaimana Cook and his partner Lauren, daughter, Kalista Cook Hickman and son-in-law David Hickman, her mother-in-law, Shy Cook, as well as her extended family: Linda Samuelson, Robyn Samuelson, Ryan Samuelson and his partner, Robbin, Ren Samuelson and her husband Kris Wohlers, the Conley family: Amy, Byron, Sally, Milton, Kyle, Angela, Brenden, and Jayce, and her grandchildren: Nathan, Cianna, and Evan Hickman, Geneva and Philo Samuelson, Peyton, Taryn and Otto Wohlers, Brandy Samuelson, and Sage Knodel. Diane will be greatly missed by a host of dear friends including her friend of longest duration since third grade, Merle Rusky.

The family wishes to thank the many members of Diane’s “posse,” as she called them, for the hours spent driving and accompanying her to medical appointments in Eureka, Stanford, Sacramento and Portland: Barbara Yeager, Dora Lee Smith, Lora Cunningham, Amy Conley, Jackie Cory, Stefanie Watson, Harriet Watson, Anne Burroughs, Jackie Hinck Hamilton, Heidi O’Neil and Connie Osburn. Robbin and Ryan’s extraordinary care during her final days were beyond measure.

A celebration of life Feb. 13, 3 p.m., at the Fortuna River Lodge, will allow people to share memories and the love she showered on all of us. Please RSVP to brbllewis@gmail.com or the Facebook event. In lieu of flowers, Diane requested that donations be made to the Ferndale Elementary School Library, 164 Shaw Avenue, Ferndale, 95536.

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The obituary above was submitted by Diane Samuelson’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.