Diana Prefountaine

Diane Prefountaine, formerly of Whitehall, NY, passed away peacefully Saturday, April 6, 2024, in the home of her daughter Marcia Prefountaine, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Diane’s passing was a result of Alzheimer's disease which she graciously endured.

Born on July 24, 1940, Diane was the daughter of Francis and Susan “Mae” (Manell) Romeo, and she was the wife of the late Farrell Prefountaine for fifty-three years.  She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and sister to her five siblings and their extended families.  

Diane held her family dear and had a close relationship with her sisters, who were her best friends.  She and her husband Farrell created a loving home environment for countless gatherings and made holidays more special with her passion, and finely honed skills, for decorating the house each season, baking, shopping, and artfully wrapping each carefully chosen gift.  She enjoyed camping at Monitor Bay in Crown point, NY with family and dear friends, and she loved traveling and seeing Broadway plays.  And although Diane loved crafting, quilting, cross stitching, and gardening, she always had time to express her deep devotion to her faith in the Lord, and her passion for political discussion. 

Diane worked for WT Burns Insurance for over three decades and earned her insurance broker’s license.  And she attended the Faith Chapel in Whitehall, NY, where for a time she served as treasurer.

Diane is survived by her daughter Marcia, and her sisters Carole Van Guilder, Linda (Don) Lee, Janice Bessette and many beloved nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Joyce Millett and her husband John, her brother Francis (Bud) Romeo, brothers-in-law James Van Guilder and Ron Bessette, in-laws Edwin and Katherine (Bezio) Prefountaine, and sister-in-law Connie. 

Diane resided in Santa Fe, NM, in her final years and adored her Santa Fe family.

Diane’s journey with Alzheimer's led her to the Life Circle Adult Day Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and her involvement there helped enrich her and her daughter’s lives with music, art, and, most importantly, social interaction.  New, close friendships developed there, starting with a small group of four caregivers and growing to 8, who meet every week to share a deeper level of support, stories, and laughter.  That group, including the loved ones, has risen to eighteen members, and meets in small and large groups, for planned and spontaneous events, as needs arise.  These gatherings have been an ongoing and invaluable part of the Alzheimer journey, one that has made the experience manageable, joyful, and less isolating.

We wish to thank the following for the support given to Diane over the past year, months, and days:  Life Circle Adult Day Care Center, especially Program Director Lea VanMerkenstyn and Elizabeth; Presbyterian Hospice, especially Maggie and Deloris, for their superb professional care; and longtime friend Mary Johnson, for her unwavering fidelity and love.

A memorial will be held at Rivera Family Funerals and Cremations in Santa Fe on April 20th at 1:00 pm MT (3:00 ET). The service will be live streamed for those wishing to attend who are out of state. Another service will be held in Whitehall NY on Saturday June 22nd.

If desired, donations in Diane’s honor can be made to Life Circle Adult Day Center at lifecirclenm.org.