Dianne Joyce Balkind

Dianne was born on June 6, 1944 to Margaret and Martin Balkind in Brooklyn, New York.

She graduated with her teaching degree from Adelphi University and dedicated her life to education. Her career spanned over four decades and began with spending 14 years teaching 4th grade at Mount Pleasant Elementary School in Smithtown, New York. Once she moved to Florida, she spent 26 years at Homosassa Elementary School teaching 5th grade and 6th grade. Dianne was loved by her students and fellow teachers, many of which are lifelong dedicated friends.

To know Dianne was to know she had a few true passions. She was a “foodie”. She loved to enjoy wonderful meals with friends and family. Her culinary skills were outstanding and her baking creations even better. She was a diehard ex-Braves, now Tampa Bay Rays fan - baseball season was the best season. All activities from April to October were scheduled around game times. Last but so not least, her love of several furry friends along the way - especially her girl, Abbi, made her face light up and her heart happy.

Dianne was a devoted daughter, sister, cousin, Godmother, aunt and friend. She always had an extra spot at her table, especially during the holidays to include whoever could join. Her house was decorated for Christmas year-round and the collections of her special treasures would have a visitor busy for hours in admiration.

Dianne is preceded in death by her parents, Martin (Marty) and Margaret (Margie) Balkind and her brother, Arthur Balkind.

She will be missed greatly especially by her dear cousins, Richard and Camille Gehnrich, their children Andrea (John) Murphy and John (Allison) Gehnrich and her great-nieces and nephews Kate (Robert), Tess, Jake, Grace, Johnny, Alec and Michael, her family-by-choice Connie Synder and Marita and Phil Bassa, along with countless dedicated friends and fur pals. A special thanks to Connie, who made the last several difficult months a little easier and brighter by visiting everyday and working with our family to make the best of a difficult situation.

A visitation for Dianne will be held Friday, January 5, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Fero Funeral Home & Life Celebration Center, 5955 North Lecanto Highway, Beverly Hills, FL 34465. She will be laid to rest on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 11:00 AM in the Fero Memorial Gardens of Beverly Hills, Florida.