Diana Mary Lain

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Diana Mary Lain, who peacefully departed this world as the sun rose on January 29, 2024, in Jacksonville Beach, FL, at the age of 75, due to complications from Multiple Sclerosis. Diana was born on October 9, 1948, in Queens, NY to the late Matilda “Tillie” (Harlos) and Nicholas Kozachenko, the youngest of three children. She grew up in Queens, NY, and during her city days, she loved working for the telephone company, being a union rep, her dearest dog Lab, live music, dancing, running, and nature. She became an avid hiker, spending more and more time in the Catskills, Slide Mountain being one of her favorites. Her passion for health, the natural world, and an alternate lifestyle inspired her to leave “The City” and move to rural Orange County, NY where she would learn to garden, grow vegetables, marry an organic farmer, raise her five children, and create a community of close friends. She loved living and raising her children close to nature, giving her family the healthiest and happiest life she knew how. Being a mother, and eventually a grandmother, was her life’s greatest joy. While many knew her after her diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis, being disabled was just a small part of her identity. Though it changed her physical abilities, she never let it define her or impact her will to live each day to the fullest. She was so much more than MS, she was a mother, grandmother, friend, gardener, farmer, helper, and a lover of life. Diana never missed an opportunity for adventure, was the life of the party and did more than many with full abilities. She was involved in many activities and organizations, including Brooks Adaptive Sports and Recreation, the MS Society, and her church. She was an adored team member of the Brooks Barracudas, a power wheelchair soccer team, where she was affectionately, and appropriately, given the nickname “Crash”, enjoyed adaptive yoga, surfing, horseback riding and even went skydiving with her family, twice! She was always giving, serving, and encouraging others, including volunteering for numerous organizations, assisting friends, and leading an MS support group. The greatest gift she gave to the world was her love and her smile. She had a way of lighting up the room with her joy and passion for life. She was known for her faith, kindness and encouragement, and will be missed by all fortunate enough to have known her. Her final wish was to donate her body to MS research. Her absence will leave an unimaginable void in our lives; however, we continue to keep her in our hearts through memories, love, and laughter. In death, she is reunited with her dear friend and caregiver of many years, Kathy Bailey, and is survived by her former husband, Milton Arthur Lain IV, and their five children, Keziah Lain, Phoebe Lain, Sara Lain Crevar and her husband Joe, Jeneviere Lain, Milton Arthur Lain V and his partner, Amanda Asam, her beloved granddaughters, Charlotte, Avery and Emerson, as well as many close family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Diana's Pond Fund, to support the restoration of her treasured pond on Kezialain Farm via the Lain Family Trust (checks can be sent to 28 Keziah Ln, Westtown, NY 10998), or Brooks Adaptive Sports and Recreation via Brooks Foundation Letters of condolence can be sent to: The Lain Family, 11534 Maclay Court, Jacksonville, FL 32225 All are welcome to join her family to celebrate her life and impact on Friday, February 23, 2024, 1pm, at the First Christian Church of the Beaches, 2125 Ocean Front, Neptune Beach, FL to share memories, stories of her amazing life, food and fellowship. All are encouraged to honor her in fun, festive attire. We know this is exactly how Diana/Ma/Nanna/Lady Di would want to be celebrated. There will also be a celebration of her life on her beloved farmland in New York this summer. ”I can do all things through him who strengthens me.“ ‭‭‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭13

Diana Mary Lain

October 9, 1948 - January 29, 2024