Diana Jayne Dowling

Diana Jayne Dowling passed away Saturday, February 22, 2020 at her home.

A Celebration of Life will be held in early June at a time to be announced on her Facebook page and through friends and family.

Diana was a 1970 graduate of Winthrop University and was the eldest daughter of Captain Patrick (retired, US Navy) and Mary Jayne Dowling, both of whom preceded her in death. After graduating from Winthrop with a degree in Physical Education, she went on to earn a Masters Degree in Education. Diana began her career in teaching in Great Falls, South Carolina, and eventually found her way to Las Vegas finishing her career at Variety School where she retired as principal after serving the Las Vegas School District for over 30 years. Diana had an unmatched dedication to others and their well-being and truly never met a stranger.

Her work in special education took a central role in her life and led her to the path that ended up as the principal at Variety School, a special education school. Diana's special joy was her three children: Michael Alexander Dowling, her eldest of Fort Mill, an avid fisherman, who was by her side through most of her long battle with cancer, Kiley Erin Dowling, a successful software engineer in Charlotte, and her youngest, Shane Patrick Dowling, is active in theater and will be Prince Charming in Nation Ford High School's production of Cinderella this spring (March 12-15). Diana actively supported the local Fort Mill community and loved spending time with family and friends. She also enjoyed her daily trip to the local Starbucks.

Besides her parents, Diana was preceded in death by her sister, Eileen Herzfeldt and her uncle Martin (Marty) Payne Dowling. Diana was also the aunt to the late Detective Mike Doty of the York County Sheriff's Office, who was Shane's godfather and whom he called "Dad". She is survived by her brothers, Patrick Dowling of Alpharetta, GA, and Rick (Cyndy) Dowling from Alabama; her sister, Kathy Queen of Fort Mill; and her brother-in-law, Stephen Herzfeldt of Fullerton, CA. She is also survived by her niece, Patricia Gotchev (Gueorgui) of Indian Land, SC, who helped her almost daily through her long battle with multiple myeloma; as well as her nieces, Christina Larsen (Peter) of Monroe, NC and Michelle Mitchell (Brian) of Fort Mill, SC; and nephews, including Joshua Doty (Darah) of Huntingtown, MD, Christopher Doty (Katie) of Fort Mill, SC; and, Erin (Matthew) Zauss of Whittier, CA and Lorin Herzfeldt of Anahiem, CA; and numerous great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Diana's name to the 809 Foundation a charity created to carry on the lifelong goals of her nephew, Mike or to a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be directed to: www.palmettofh.com.

Palmetto Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Fort Mill (803.802.7788) is assisting the family.

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