Diane Beryl Jovanovich
October 19, 1939 - April 15, 2019
Obituary
Diane Beryl (Beaton) Jovanovich was born October 19th, 1939 in Vancouver, Canada and passed away in her sleep on April 15th, 2019 in Federal Way. At a young age, her family moved to the Seattle area. She became a US citizen along the way and graduated from West Seattle High School. At the age of 17, she was introduced to the love of her life, Joseph Jovanovich, whom she said she knew she wanted to marry after their first date. They were married on May 23rd, 1959 and would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary next month.
Together, Diane and Joe raised three sons and a daughter. Money was tight raising four children, but their kids never knew that. Summers were spent camping at Salmon La Sac, Wish-Push and Squilchuck as well as hiking numerous mountains and fishing at Beehive Lake. The family spent hours around campfires, roasting marshmallows, making s’mores and the infamous “slugs” filled with jam as they talked about a million things. Afternoons camping at Salmon La Sac were spent inner tubing down the river in a big, long chain of Jovanovich’s (and friends), with everyone hooked together by hands and feet, with mom laughing and smiling. She often said those were the best times of her life. She loved the quiet of the woods, listening to the wind blow through the trees, the birds chirping, and the chipmunks and squirrels running around.
Mom believed that a woman could do pretty much whatever a man could. Side by side, she and Joe would cut, split and stack wood for their fireplace. She went elk and deer hunting with Joe and many times had to help carry out the game from miles back in the woods. In 1997, Joe and Diane purchased 10 acres in Teanaway, Washington. It was a long-time dream of Mom’s to have a cabin in the woods. Prior to the cabin being built, Diane, Joe and each of their children had travel trailers on the property. There were huge family breakfasts every morning, where Mom painstakingly cut up huge bowls of fresh fruit to bring down to the table. Once the cabin was built, again she and Joe worked side-by-side for days on end finishing the interior and installing the flooring. Once completed, they were able to sit in the cabin they built together and enjoy watching the deer, elk and turkeys that lived on the property. Mom loved gardening and even in the middle of the woods she was able to grow her daffodils and tulips in the spring and always had beautiful potted plants on the deck.
Mom was known for her compassion for people and animals. For some reason, if there was a stray dog in the neighborhood, they always ended up at the Jovanovich house. This extended to birds as well. She befriended a crow, whom she named “Caw”, that would come to her and land on her arm. She once found a baby bird that had fallen from a nest, so she went out to the yard to dig up worms to try and feed it. Having compassion for even the smallest of God’s creatures, she would pick worms out of mud puddles and put them on the ground so they wouldn’t die. Somehow, animals knew she was a protector. She would cry at commercials, especially the ones about mistreated animals. She made sure some of the charitable donations they made went to ASPCA.
Diane was a loving and supportive wife and mother. She is survived by her husband Joseph, sons Joe (Helen), Mike (Roxann), David (Carey) and her daughter, Teresa Harberg (Mikeke); six grandchildren David, Jennifer, Joshua, Michael, Melissa and Stephanie; step-grandchildren Thomas Harberg, Neil Carza and Mike Davis; andand great granddaughter Anna. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She joins her brother Tommy, sisters Donna, Shirley, and Beverly in Heaven. We love you Momma and know we will be reunited again someday.
God bless Diane. She was a the dearest, sweetest
soul. She was a loving mother and a dear friend.
She will be missed by all who knew her.
With deepest sympathy to Joe and all the family.
Aileen Blanc
Those we love are never really gone.
They have a cherished place in our hearts where they will always be remembered.
We are sorry to hear of the passing of Aunt Gladys.
May the family find peace.
With Love
Marian, Karen,Rhonda,Marlene and Brenda Dean Sylvan
I would like to express condolences to the family concerning your loved one. May the Father of tender mercies comfort you in your trials as you comfort others.
So very sorry to hear this I know she was the anchor of the family. I am so sorry for the family’s loss. Wishing you all the Best
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤