Dianne Ward
August 6, 1947 – July 26, 2023
Pawleys Island, South Carolina – Dianne Stanton Ward
On Wednesday, July 26, 2023, Dianne Stanton Ward, passed away in her sleep at the age of 75.
Dianne was born on August 6, 1947, in York, SC to David and Evelyn (Nichols) Stanton. She graduated from Clover High School, and then went on to pursue multiple degrees in higher education. She received her BS in Physical Education from Coker College in 1968, followed by her EdD in Physical Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1979, and finally her EdD in Physical Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1979.
In 1969 she joined the faculty at Coker College as an instructor and assistant professor and remained there until 1975. (She also served on the Coker Board of Trustees from 1977 to 1979, and, at the time, was the youngest board member ever!) In 1975 she joined the faculty at the University of South Carolina where she would stay for over 23 years serving in many different roles and responsibilities including the Interim Dean for the School of Public Health from 1997 to 1998. It was here where she honed her craft as both an educator and researcher. USC was a very special place for Dianne where she made life-long friends and became a die-hard Gamecock fan.
In 1998 she took a huge personal and professional leap of faith when she left South Carolina to join the faculty at the University of North Carolina. This would become the most important and impactful move of her professional career. While at UNC, her work in the field of childhood nutrition and physical activity skyrocketed. Her research, and the programs that came out of this research, will continue to impact people, particularly children, for many years to come. Dianne loved her work and her wonderful staff at UNC so much that she never wanted to retire. She passed away while she was still doing the work that she loved with the people she loved.
Although being an educator and researcher truly defined Dianne, she had many other layers. She was a very spiritual person who cared deeply about the environment. She was obsessed with birds and even kept a journal to log down all the species of birds that she would see. She was an incredibly generous person who gave anything to anyone who needed it. Whether it was her time, money, friendship, or mentorship, Dianne was filled with compassion and a desire to help. She was a genuine person who had a warm smile and an infectious laugh. She loved books (especially good mysteries), entertaining, dancing, and going to the beach. Her dream was to have a beach house on Pawleys Island, which she was able to achieve before her untimely passing.
Dianne was preceded in death by her parents, David and Evelyn Stanton, her brother, David Stanton Jr, and her beloved daughter Eliza Faris Ward. She is survived by her daughter, Johnna Massoni, (Mark), her sister, Leslie Couick (Steve), her niece, Shawn Stanton Carr (Chuck) and her three grandsons who were the absolute loves of her life: Micah Ward (19), Shiloh Ward (18), and Brady Massoni (16).
A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held on Saturday, August 19 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Southern Charm Events, 534 Waterford Glen Way, Rock Hill, SC 29730. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the National Audubon Society, Trinity United Methodist Church of West Asheville, NC, or the charity of your choice.