Diane Cassidy Goeller

She was born in Wareham, Massachusetts on September 21, 1943 to Roy and Myrtice Cassidy while her father was serving in the US Army. She is predeceased by her parents, sister Sherry Caruso, and her loving husband of 59 years, Dr. Victor Goeller, Jr., MD.

She graduated from Pensacola High School and received her RN degree from Sacred Heart Hospital’s School of Nursing. Soon after beginning her nursing career, she met and married Dr. Victor Goeller. Devotion to family, church, and friends became her lifelong loyalty.

As an active member of First Baptist Church of Pensacola for 55 years, Diane not only grew in biblical knowledge, faith, and devotion but also gave of herself and used her skills to serve others. Her generosity in the giving of her time and talents enhanced the beauty of her church as well as increased its effectiveness through outreach. She served as a youth worker and chaperone and was active in the Women’s Missionary Union and her Sunday School class. Her creativity was seen in decorations for Christmas and special events at church, and her touch enriched the marble engraving at the entrance to Pleitz Chapel. She served on the baptism committee and was instrumental in designing and making the signature cross that hangs in the baptistry. Her contributions to the Music Ministry came through stage makeup and costume design for pageants and other performances.

She loved playing tennis and served the Greater Pensacola Tennis Association for many years, but her passion was art. Her paintings have been admired in multiple prominent locations as well as featured on book jackets and brochures. Diane also loved sharing her talents with others, which led to the creation of a series of art workshops for fellow enthusiasts and her involvement with the Pensacola Pelican Project. She created and painted eleven pelicans that are on display around town. One of her favorite things to do was get together with her Paint Out or Art Study Club friends.

While admiring her creative gifts, friends often said, “She can do anything!”, and she could do almost anything and do it well – cooking to sewing, creating with paints and watercolors to delighting with stained glass, nursing to tennis. She was truly a multi-talented influence in the lives of all who knew her.

She is survived by her adoring family, daughter Lisa Entrekin (Paul), son Dr. Russell Goeller III (Melissa), granddaughter Hattie, three step-grandchildren Chelsea Patterson, Lindy (Entrekin) Sikes, and Logan Entrekin. She also leaves behind her brother Bobby Cassidy (Mona) and several nieces.

A celebration of life will be held on July 3, 2023 at First Baptist Church of Pensacola’s Pleitz Chapel. There will be a time of gathering for family members at 11:30 a.m. The family will then receive friends at noon, followed by a memorial service at 1:00 and graveside service afterwards at Bayview Memorial Park.

Pall bearers are Russ Goeller, Paul Entrekin, Scott Bell, Bobby Cassidy, Scotty Douglas, and Russ Strnad.

In lieu of flowers, please consider an honorarium to the Samaritan Hands Ministry of First Baptist Church.