Diane Lamb McAlpin

Diane Lamb McAlpin of Stuart, Florida and Litchfield, Connecticut, passed away from complications of Parkinson's Disease on November 5, 2024. She leaves her husband of 58 years, Rod McAlpin, a son, Timothy McAlpin, a daughter, Lisa Chase, and her husband, David, a younger sister, Linda Peters, and her husband, Richard Peters, and two grandsons, Jake Chase and Nolan Chase. She was predeceased by an older brother, Stuart Lamb. Diane was the daughter of Stuart M. Lamb and Laurina Nolan. Diane graduated from the MacDuffie School, Springfield, Massachusetts in 1963 and from Centenary College for Women, Hackettstown, New Jersey in 1965.

Diane was an extraordinarily dedicated volunteer for most of her life. Her volunteer work in hospice extended for the better part of twenty years. This unique effort many times included her husband and kids, giving our entire family a firsthand introduction to one of the more difficult and sad stages of life. In the late 1980s Diane decided that she would expand her interest in medicine by taking an EMT course with a couple of girl friends. With this new education she then joined the Litchfield Volunteer Ambulance Association where she began answering emergency calls while studying further to be an EMT-IV. The LVA segment of her volunteering efforts ran for some 15 years. She even managed several years of full time employment as a cardiopulmonary technician for a local cardiology practice and later as a member of the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital staff.

Having experienced the frustration of trying to learn with dyslexia, Diane used her handicap to advantage when her own son shared the very same learning disability. When Tim entered the Connecticut State Police Academy in 1998, Diane took it upon herself to personally tutor Tim as he proceeded through the six month protocol. Every time Tim had time off during that span, he and his mother would closet themselves away at home and cram together for his next exam. Twenty-six years later Tim's a very senior CSP Sergeant with an impressive record on the job.

Diane was well known for her tasty, but very flat, chocolate chip cookies and homemade hot fudge and butterscotch sauces. She was also a devoted fan of candy corn, gummy bears and almost anything chocolate. With two other girlfriends she spent many years jogging on Litchfield, CT, streets where town truck drivers knew the joggers well enough to blast their horns with every new sighting. Diane loved men in uniform and always stood proudly for pictures with her U. S. Navy Lieutenant husband at the end of every annual Memorial Day parade in Litchfield. Her favorite vacation spot was Bermuda where she could be spotted on the buddy seat of a two person moped speeding happily across the island seeking quiet and scenic beaches.

Our Diane never met a dog that she didn't love. She will now be reunited with her lifetime bevy of Westies and Golden Retrievers: Taffy, Brandy, Heather, Murphy, Sassy and Bailey. One handsome jet black cat named Casper (nicknamed Pooh Bear) ruled the homestead for several years as well.

Diane's family would like to express its sincere thanks to Jennifer Brookley of Treasure Coast Hospice, the home care aides sourced through Safe Home Care, Stuart, Florida, and the staff at The Harrison of Stuart for the excellent care and support they each provided to Diane and her family through this journey.

In lieu of flowers, Diane asked that memorial donations may be made to the Litchfield Volunteer Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 651, Litchfield, Connecticut 06759. A private burial will be held in Litchfield, Connecticut.