Beverly Diane Ballard
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Beverly Diane Ballard, known to her friends as Diane, lived a life of service, laughter, and love.
At the age of 17, she married the love of her life, Don Ballard. Shortly after, she began working, beginning what would become a career of service and support for hospitals. After many years of working in the administration of Floyd Memorial Hospital, in 1995, she was named Executive Director the hospital's Foundation. If you had a doctor's visit or hospital stay in New Albany, Indiana, chances are you benefited from equipment that she made possible. Diane was an outgoing, friendly person...quick witted and swift to laugh... but she did this work quietly, not seeking accolades, in order to serve her community.
She was also courageous and brave. Friends and family joke that she was a serial 'retire-er', retiring from a job, in a whirlwind of gifts, accolades, and respect, only to find herself shortly thereafter moved to jump back into community service. At the age of 68, she stepped into a completely new career as the director of the Monroe County Historical Society, finding yet another way to serve and contribute to her community.
During these years, Diane traveled around the country, visiting art museums and bookstores. With her daughter Dana, she finally lived her life-long dream of strolling down the Avenue des Champs-?lys?es, sipping coffee under the Arc de Triomphe and gazing up at the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
These life experiences and her work were vitally important, but it was love that mattered the most. Love of her family, friends, and the greatest love of all... that of her husband, Don Ballard. The two shared a romance built on love letters, gardening, and Reese's Cups. Diane, the daughter of James Shelburne and Rosa Beatrice (Hollen) Boes, is survived by her brother and sister, Ron Boes and Linda Hendrich, her two children, Dana Ballard and Doug Ballard, and her daughter-in-law, Janet. Diane and Don found great joy in their grandchildren: Coleman, Alex, Angel, and Taylor, and their great-grandchildren: Nova, Hazel, Emersyn, and soon-to-arrive, Vincent. Diane's love for and devotion to her family was vibrant, colorful, and deep.
Diane's final day, before hospitalization, was spent at Brown County State Park, home of countless memories. She laughed joyously as stories were shared.....her husband backing up the camper in the dark, the kids speeding around the park on bicycles, and protecting the evening s'mores from raccoons. The day was full of hope and joy. Sadly, Diane left us much too soon, but that day, and the memories that we all have of her reflect the amazing amount of love, laughter, and beauty she left in her wake.
Diane passed away Saturday, July 31, 2021, at IU Health Bloomington. Services will be held at a later date to honor her life and legacy and more details can be found with Allen Funeral Home in Bloomington, Indiana. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared at www.allencares.com